Some members of the Fort Myers city council were in tears on Monday about a vote on a memorandum of agreement between us Immigration and Customs enforcement (ICE) and local police.
The Florida city council met to discuss the agreement For the law enforcement of the city to receive the training and authority to act as ICE agents to hold and arrest illegal immigrants, among other things.
During the meeting, councilors Darla Bonk and Diana Giraldo are destroyed While they expressed their opposition against the agreement.
Bonk’s voice broke out when she described the risk of losing state and federal funds if she refused to agree.
“It’s a tumultuous day and age. And this is a day that I hate to sit in this chair,” said Bonk. “But my city is not for sale.”
Fort Myers municipal councilors Darla Bonk and Diana Giraldo grab hands during a meeting on Monday. (Fort Myers City website)
Giraldo feared that the memorandum would be used to profil Spanish citizens racially.
“I can’t support this as an immigrant, the only immigrant in this council,” said Giraldo.
The two handles hands at some point in their comments.
Mayor Kevin Anderson of Fort Myers argued in favor of the memorandum and emphasized that officers would not give the authority to find out for illegal immigrants who kick doors, “but simply the ability to arrest and process illegal immigrants that illegal immigrants were sued for a crime.
The motion failed to pass on a 3-3 votes, whereby one councilor was not present.
Mayor Kevin Anderson of Fort Myers argued that the Memorandum would not give local officers the opportunity to trace all illegal immigrants, but to find out and hold on to criminal charges or convictions. (Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg via Getty images)
Attorney James Uthmeier in Florida responded on Tuesday to the vote with a letter that demanded his position from the city council or risking civil or criminal fines as a sanctuary.
“Sanctuary policy is illegal in Florida. Your voice will make you a sanctuary last night. Solve this problem or face this problem,” wrote Uthmeier on X, together with a copy of his letter.
When it achieved for comment, the office of the attorney -general Fox News Digital pointed out an interview with Fox 4 Where Uthmeier discussed the letter.
In the interview, Uthmeier said that it could not pass the memorandum Violates the state law the prohibition of “sanctuary policy” that prevents the enforcement of federal immigration laws.
He added that penalties can be removed from the office.
“We look at all the options. We have informed them, but we are not going to wait long. If they do not solve their problem immediately, we will take action,” Uthmeier told Fox 4.
However, he did not give a clear timeline when that could take place if the memorandum was still not passed.
The Law of the State of Florida prohibits the policy of the “Rancing Treat” that inhibits the federal law enforcement of immigration policy. (Fox News)
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In a statement to FOX News Digital Anderson said that the city planned an emergency meeting on Friday to re -visit the Memorandum and hopefully to come to a clearer conclusion.
“This is another tool for our police to keep our city safe. This has taken the city management proactive steps to nominate the matter, and I hope that Friday’s meeting will lead to a susceptible determination with federal and national guidelines,” the mayor said.
The other members of the city council did not respond to requests for comments from Fox News Digital On time for publication.
