Cities and towns around the country are trying to ignore state and federal laws regarding illegal immigrants.
That is even true for some cities in a few deep Red States like Florida.
And Ron DeSantis just laid the smackdown on this Florida city after it refused to work with ICE.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) released a terse statement after Fort Myers’ city council voted against an agreement to have the police department work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
‘Florida will ensure its laws are followed’
DeSantis reminded the city that there is a new state law that requires cooperation with the federal government.
The move by Fort Myers’ city council sets up a possible showdown with the popular Governor and the state.
A proposed agreement between local law enforcement and ICE would have allowed ICE to train local officers to help carry out federal immigration duties in addition to their regular duties.
The city council voted 3-3, meaning that the agreement will not be adopted.
One council member was not present.
The Fort Myers police chief spoke in favor of the 287(g) agreement, while some residents who spoke did not.
DeSantis did not mince words about the move.
“Thanks to the laws we’ve recently enacted in Florida, local entities are required to participate in federal immigration enforcement. The 287 (g) program trains local law enforcement to aid ICE. Florida will ensure its laws are followed, and when it comes to immigration — the days of inaction are over. Govern yourselves accordingly,” DeSantis posted on X.
Thanks to the laws we’ve recently enacted in Florida, local entities are required to participate in federal immigration enforcement.
The 287 (g) program trains local law enforcement to aid ICE. Florida will ensure its laws are followed, and when it comes to immigration—the days… https://t.co/drS0JI8FVR
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) March 18, 2025
The state’s Attorney General James Uthmeier also blasted the city for not agreeing to help ICE and added that his office will conduct a full investigation.
A very troubling decision by the city
“The Fort Myers City Council’s vote to not approve the police department’s 287(g) agreement with ICE is very troubling. Preventing a local law enforcement agency from entering into a 287(g) agreement with the federal government prevents that agency from participating in certain federal immigration operations,” Uthmeier said. “These council members[‘] actions likely run afoul of Florida Statute, and my office will be investigating.”
The new Florida laws were recently passed by the state legislature.
They are a part of DeSantis’ push to have Florida become the nation’s number one state in the use of state and local police departments to help the Trump administration conduct mass deportations of illegals.
But cities like Fort Myers seem hell-bent on doing everything they can to derail that push.
And it’s not just state officials who have taken notice of the move by Ft. Myers.
Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL), who represents the Fort Myers area and is running to be the state’s next governor, also roundly criticized the city council.
He criticized the city’s “atrocious disregard for the safety and security of our Southwest Florida community,” saying the decision not to pass the agreement should be “roundly condemned.”
“We are putting the American people first again and every council member who voted to flagrantly violate federal and state law should lose their job.”
DeSantis Daily will keep you up-to-date on any developments to this ongoing story.
