Fort Myers city officials find themselves in the crosshairs of Florida’s top leadership after a controversial immigration enforcement vote nearly turned the city into a sanctuary zone, defying state law and potentially putting council members’ positions at risk.
At a glance:
• Fort Myers City Council initially failed to pass a memorandum allowing ICE to train local police in immigration enforcement with a 3-3 deadlock vote
• Two council members broke down crying during the vote, which Mayor Kevin Anderson called “embarrassing”
• Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier warned council members they could face removal from office for creating a “sanctuary city”
• Governor Ron DeSantis emphasized that local entities are required to participate in federal immigration enforcement under Florida law
• An emergency meeting has been scheduled to revisit the memorandum, with a seventh council member expected to attend
State Officials Deliver Stern Warning to City Council
Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson expressed disappointment after two City Council members became emotional during a recent vote on partnering with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), leading to a failed 3-3 vote. The memorandum would have formalized training for Fort Myers police officers to process illegal immigrants charged with or convicted of crimes.
The council’s failure to approve the agreement quickly drew a sharp rebuke from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who warned the city was now in violation of state law. “Sanctuary policies are illegal in Florida,” Uthmeier stated bluntly, adding: “Your vote last night makes you a sanctuary city. Fix this problem or face the consequences.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also weighed in, reminding local officials of their obligations under recently enacted state legislation. “Thanks to the laws we’ve recently enacted in Florida, local entities are required to participate in federal immigration enforcement,” DeSantis said in a statement aimed at the council members.
Mayor Calls Emotional Display “Embarrassing”
The split vote came after council members Darla Bonk and Diana Giraldo became visibly emotional during the proceedings, with both opposing the agreement. Mayor Anderson didn’t hide his frustration with the display during what should have been a straightforward legal compliance matter.
“It was a little bit embarrassing. I think when we’re sitting on the dais, there really shouldn’t be room for emotions, because when we get emotional over things, we don’t always make the best decisions,” Anderson said. “We need to be strong, and we need to use facts and truth and information to make our decisions and not feelings of emotion.”
The mayor clarified that Fort Myers is not a sanctuary city and emphasized the public safety focus behind the agreement. Despite significant opposition from local activists, Anderson maintained that the partnership with ICE would not authorize officers to actively search for illegal immigrants but would only apply to those already charged with or convicted of crimes.
