Florida Initiates Inquiry into City Council’s Decision to Refuse Cooperation with ICE

March 18, 2025 TruthUSA

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has stated that local governments must engage in federal immigration enforcement.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier declared he will probe a city council that declined to ratify an agreement between its police department and federal authorities for immigration law enforcement.

The Fort Myers city council’s 3-3 deadlock on March 17 means the police department will not forge a 287(g) agreement with federal agents to assist in detaining and processing undocumented immigrants.

Uthmeier described the decision as “concerning.”

“The actions of these council members likely contravene Florida Statute, and my office will be looking into it,” he noted.

Through the agreement, local law enforcement officers would receive training from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding situations involving illegal immigrants.

One of President Donald Trump’s primary campaign promises was to secure the U.S. borders with Mexico and Canada and deport approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants who entered during the Biden administration. States like Florida and Texas have been at the forefront in assisting the Trump administration in fulfilling that promise.

Fort Myers Police Chief Jason Fields emphasized the importance of this training for officers in effectively addressing related incidents.

Additionally, on March 18, Governor DeSantis shared a local news article on X regarding the city council’s decision.

The governor noted that recently passed laws necessitate local entities to engage in federal immigration enforcement.

“Florida will ensure that its laws are adhered to, and regarding immigration—the days of inaction are finished. Act accordingly,” remarked DeSantis.

As he campaigns for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, DeSantis has gained a reputation for being tough on crime and illegal immigration, prompting Florida to implement stricter regulations.

DeSantis has not hesitated to utilize his executive authority to challenge local officials over their policies.

In recent years, he has removed two Democratic district attorneys from their positions, accusing them of failing to prosecute various state crimes related to firearms, minors, and abortion.

During the council meeting, Fields noted that the agreement aimed to educate officers on how to handle situations involving individuals who are unlawfully present in the country.

“We won’t be forcibly entering homes and removing mothers and children,” Fields stated.

The police chief referenced a homicide involving a dismembered body and a sexual assault linked to illegal immigrants as instances demonstrating the necessity of this training.

Council members received advice from their attorney indicating that rejecting the agreement might affect federal and state funding.

“There will be ramifications. However, I cannot specify what they will be,” said City Attorney Grant Alley.

Throughout the dialogue, council members expressed their concerns about racial profiling and the responsibilities of the federal government.

“The blame lies with the federal government for our current situation,” said council member Fred Burson, who ultimately voted in favor of collaborating with federal agencies despite his earlier objections.

“They must streamline legal immigration processes, which would reduce illegal immigration,” he added.

Burson further mentioned that illegal immigrants are essential for agricultural labor, which would increase costs if they were all deported.

“Whatever one may say, this is directed against the Hispanic community,” he asserted.

Others, like Terolyn Watson, a black councilwoman, opposed the agreement, voicing her discomfort with the policy.

“Having come from a community that suffered for over 400 years, I empathize with their feelings,” she remarked.

DeSantis, a proponent of legislation aimed at curbing illegal immigration, signed multiple immigration enforcement bills into law this past February following a special session.

One of these laws enforces the death penalty for undocumented immigrants convicted of capital offenses, including homicide and child sexual assault.

Additionally, the governor signed Senate Bill 2C, which requires Florida jails to notify ICE of inmates’ immigration statuses.

The law also establishes $5,000 fines and suspensions from office for county or municipal officials who do not comply with immigration detainers issued by a federal agency.

Since Trump assumed office, he has declared a national emergency at the U.S. southern border due to security concerns and cartel-driven crime, deploying about 9,000 troops to assist in its security. The Trump administration has promoted the sharp decline in the number of undocumented immigrants crossing into the country since the presidency changed hands.

Trump introduced 25 percent tariffs on Mexico and Canada, citing their lack of action in halting the influx of fentanyl into the United States, which has resulted in countless fatalities across the nation. Initially, a 10 percent tariff was imposed on China for its role in supplying precursor chemicals to Mexican cartels, entities that the U.S. State Department has labeled as terrorist organizations. Earlier this month, these tariffs on Chinese goods were raised to 20 percent.

Mexican cartels recognized as foreign terrorists and specially designated global terrorists include: Sinaloa, Gulf, United, Northeast, and Jalisco New Generation cartels, along with La Nueva Familia Michoacana.

A December 1, 2024, analysis of provisional data released by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention determined that 70 percent of overdose fatalities were caused by fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid that is up to 100 times stronger than morphine. Just two milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal.

Fentanyl-related overdoses have become a national crisis, as traffickers primarily smuggle the drug across the U.S. southern border, resulting in around 75,000 American deaths in 2023 alone, as reported by the CDC.

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