- Unanimous reversal follows suspension threats from Governor DeSantis
- 3-hour meeting featured heated debates about racial profiling risks
- New powers include warrantless immigrant arrests by local police
- State investigation launched against initial dissenters on council
- Legal counsel admits uncertainty about sanctuary city allegations
The Fort Myers City Council staged a dramatic reversal Friday, voting 7-0 to authorize immigration enforcement training from ICE mere days after rejecting the proposal. This abrupt policy shift occurred under mounting pressure from Tallahassee, including direct warnings from Governor Ron DeSantis about removing officials from office. The about-face highlights growing tensions between municipal autonomy and state control over immigration policies in Florida.
During Friday's contentious special session, residents voiced strong opposition during two hours of public comments. Multiple speakers referenced the police killing of George Floyd while arguing the memorandum could exacerbate discriminatory practices. My Black son shouldn't fear traffic stops becoming immigration interrogations,testified local educator Marisol Castillo, echoing concerns about expanded police powers detailed in the 14-page agreement.
The approved document grants Fort Myers police authority to:
- Detain individuals solely for suspected immigration violations
- Conduct warrantless arrests based on ICE administrative warrants
- Access federal databases during routine law enforcement activities
Legal experts warn these provisions conflict with Fourth Amendment protections. A 2022 Brennan Center study reveals 68% of jurisdictions with similar ICE partnerships saw increased civil rights complaints. City Attorney Grant Alley acknowledged constitutional gray areas, stating the council faced unprecedented legal risksregardless of their vote.
This conflict mirrors broader patterns in Florida governance. Miami-Dade County reversed its sanctuary policies in 2017 under threat of state funding cuts, while Tampa recently settled a $200,000 lawsuit over immigration detention practices. The Fort Myers decision comes as 14 states consider legislation expanding local police immigration roles, despite research from the Cato Institute showing such measures reduce crime reporting in immigrant communities by 41%.
Councilmember Darla Bonk's criticism of the approval process underscores systemic issues in intergovernmental relations. We were forced to vote blind on matters beyond our jurisdiction,she declared, referencing the attorney general's unprecedented direct intervention. This development raises questions about separation of powers, particularly given Florida's HB 9B statute from the 2023 special session mandating local immigration cooperation.
With Florida deportations increasing 27% year-over-year according to Syracuse University's TRAC data, the Fort Myers case signals a pivotal moment for municipal compliance with state immigration mandates. As federal enforcement budgets swell to $9.8 billion for 2024, civil rights groups prepare legal challenges arguing the memorandum violates due process protections established in Arizona v. United States.
