Fort Myers council approves memorandum of agreement allowing limited FMPD cooperation with ICE after lengthy public backlash

The Fort Myers City Council voted to approve a memorandum of agreement between the Fort Myers Police Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after a lengthy public comment period that featured dozens of residents urging the council to reject the partnership.

Supporters of the MOA, including city staff and the police department, told the council the agreement would give trained officers the authority to process immigration‑related custody in situations that arise during criminal investigations when federal agents are not immediately available. City Attorney Grant Alley said the arrangement “would be consistent with precedent on cooperation with state and federal law enforcement for decades.”

The MOA drew more than two hours of public testimony, nearly all opposing. Lucy Perkins Weigel, a resident, cited the Statue of Liberty and told the council, “What I care about is if they are safe and sound and if they are treating our other neighbors with dignity and…