Democracy on Mute: Fort Myers Council Listens, Then Ignores

Community speaks out against ICE collaboration

In a powerful display of democracy, Fort Myers residents filled City Hall on Friday for an emergency meeting, bringing thoughtful arguments, heartfelt testimony, and community unity to the forefront. Dozens of citizens stepped up to the podium—some speaking from experience, others from principle—all urging their elected officials not to allow local police to become enforcers of federal immigration law.

The room overflowed with passion and logic as neighbors from all walks of life spoke about the potential harms of the proposed agreement between the Fort Myers Police Department (FMPD) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Residents pointed out that the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was not legally required and warned that it could erode trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities, divert police from addressing local crime, and open the door to racial profiling. One speaker put it plainly: “You do not have to pass this because it is wrong.”

Despite this overwhelming local opposition, the City Council ultimately voted unanimously, 7–0, in favor of the ICE agreement—just days after a prior vote on the same measure had failed in a 3–3 split. The reversal followed intense political pressure from outside the community, including statements from Governor Ron DeSantis and warnings from the state about potential legal consequences and funding cuts if the city refused to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. Councilwoman Diana Giraldo, who had initially voted no, stated she changed her vote after receiving death threats and reading the state statute more closely.

This meeting showcased democracy in action—citizens informed, engaged, and united in their message. But it also highlighted a growing concern: the disconnect between local representation and state-driven mandates. In the end, despite the community’s strong and reasoned opposition, the council caved to pressure from Tallahassee and Washington, not Fort Myers. Many residents left feeling that their voices had been heard—but not respected.