Florida mayor comments on the Viral City Council meeting
Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson said he was “disappointed” and “embarrassing” after the city council meeting went viral. Two members cried at the vote. Allows cooperation between city police officers and US Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“It was a bit embarrassing,” Anderson said. Fox 35 on wednesday. “Because when we sit on day, when we get more emotional than things, we don’t always make the best decisions. We need to be strong, and we need to use facts, truths and information to make our decisions, not feelings of emotion.”
Memorandum of agreement would allow city law enforcement agencies to receive training and authority to act As an ice agent Among other functions, illegal immigrants are detained and arrested.
One council member was not present on Monday, failing to win 3-3 votes. Council members Darla Bonk and Diana Girald shed tears when they expressed their opposition.
Some Fort Myers City Council members shouted about memorandums about city officials who work with Ice Agents. (Fort Myers City website)
“It’s a turbulent day and age, and this is a day I hate being in this seat,” Bonk said. “But my town is not for sale.”
“I can’t stand behind this as the only immigrant sitting on this council,” Giroud said.
During the meeting, Anderson defended the memorandum, emphasizing “kicking the door” of officers’ authority to go out for illegal immigration, but simply highlighted the ability to arrest and deal with illegal immigrants that have been charged or charged. Convicted of a crime.
Florida Attorney General James Usmieyer responded with a letter requesting the city council to change its position or endanger civil or criminal penalties for being a sanctuary city.
“The Sanctuary policy is illegal in Florida. Last night’s vote will be a Sanctuary city. Please resolve this issue or face consequences,” Uthmeier wrote Tuesday along with a copy of his letter.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also responded to the vote in his X-post on Tuesday.
“Thanks to recent laws in Florida, local entities must participate in federal immigration enforcement. The 287(g) program trains local law enforcement agencies to support the ice. Florida ensures that they follow the law.
Uthmeier said in a local interview that the penalty could include removal from duties.
“If I had worn the shoes of someone who voted against it, I would be very worried now,” Anderson told Fox35.
He understands Usmeyer’s complaints, but added that Fort Myers is “not a sanctuary,” and that despite the issues, he takes public safety very seriously.
“I was very disappointed and embarrassed by our city,” he said of the vote.
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Mayor Kevin Anderson defended the memorandum, saying it would focus primarily on illegal immigrants who committed crimes. (Fox 35 screenshot)
But with state and national attention in Congress, Anderson said he was “confident” when an emergency meeting will be held on Friday, and once again, the emergency meeting will be held beyond the memorandum.
The meeting is expected to include additional councillors who are not present at the original meeting and are unable to vote.
However, he said he learned after years in public office that he “don’t know how the council will go.”
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