Florida AG threatens Fort Myers over immigration policy rejection

Florida's Attorney General James Uthmeier is threatening to punish Fort Myers City Council members after they rejected a partnership with federal immigration authorities under a program known as 287(g). This program is part of the Trump administration’s stricter immigration measures. In a letter sent on Tuesday, Uthmeier claimed the council's decision violated a state law that bans “sanctuary cities.” He warned that failure to reverse their decision could lead to civil and criminal penalties, including possible removal from office by the governor. Earlier in the day, Governor Ron DeSantis warned local officials that they must cooperate with the 287(g) program, stating that "the days of inaction are over." He emphasized that officials should “govern themselves accordingly” in his post on social media. This situation is significant as Fort Myers is the first city in Florida to publicly oppose the 287(g) program. The decision was emotional for council members, with some expressing tears during the vote. They weighed the consequences of their stance, with the city attorney acknowledging that there would be repercussions, though the specifics were unclear. Florida law mandates that law enforcement agencies cooperate with federal immigration authorities, but it does not require them to enroll in any specific program. Despite this, over 100 law enforcement agencies in the state participate in the 287(g) program, allowing officers to detain undocumented immigrants. Concerns about racial profiling and the impact on the community were raised by council members who opposed the ICE agreement. Fort Myers has a diverse population, with significant Latino and foreign-born communities. Police Chief Jason Fields described the ICE partnership as a procedural measure, emphasizing that their focus would remain on serious criminals rather than disrupting families. Nonetheless, council members voiced strong feelings about protecting their community against potential harm from immigration enforcement.