Fort Myers council deadlocks on ICE training proposal

At a recent town meeting in Fort Myers, Florida, city council members were divided on a proposal involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The proposal sought to have ICE train local police to enforce immigration laws. The council voted three to three, leaving the issue unresolved. During the meeting, some Democratic council members became emotional. Councilwoman Darla Bonk expressed her distress, saying it was a tough time to be in her position. She and her colleague, Diana Giraldo, who is an immigrant herself, held hands and cried as they discussed the potential consequences of the proposal. Mayor Kevin Anderson warned that the deadlock could threaten important state and federal funding linked to the council's grants. He emphasized that losing this funding would burden local taxpayers. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced plans for an investigation into the council's actions, stating they may violate state law. He criticized the council for possibly impeding the federal government's efforts to tackle illegal immigration. Concerns were also raised about racial profiling and the impact on the immigrant community. The meeting coincided with the detention of immigration activist Jeanette Vizguerra, who has been in the U.S. since 1997 without proper documentation. Her case has drawn significant attention, with officials and community members voicing their support for her release. Critics argue that her detention is an example of harsh enforcement tactics under current immigration policies. An ICE spokesperson noted that Vizguerra has two misdemeanor convictions, which contributed to her situation. Protests have erupted in response to her detention, highlighting the ongoing controversy around immigration enforcement in the country.