Punta Gorda council approves memorandum with ICE after wide public opposition

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — The Punta Gorda City Council voted to approve a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on March 19, allowing Punta Gorda police officers who volunteer for training to assist federal immigration authorities in specific situations.

The MOA drew a large public turnout and sustained comment from residents and advocacy groups, many urging the council to reject the agreement on civil‑liberties and resource‑burden grounds. Multiple speakers said the MOA risked warrantless arrests and racial profiling; other residents and an attorney urged the council to allow trained local officers to support federal enforcement.

The council’s decision followed a staff presentation and a lengthy exchange in which Punta Gorda Police Chief Pam Smith said the agreement would not create federal ‘‘roundups’’ or task‑force raids. ‘‘The word task force makes it sound like we are gonna be joining some other agency and going around other areas out of our local jurisdiction,’’ Smith said, adding the intent presented to her was that officers would, in the normal course of duties, follow up when an administrative immigration warrant already appeared on a record check. She said training and federal instructors would be provided and that ICE would pay travel and per‑diem if officers attended out‑of‑town training.

Residents who spoke against the MOA framed their objections around constitutional protections and local priorities. Maria Lara of LULAC said, "That agreement does not address criminality," and warned it authorized intrusive practices. Jim Blue, a LULAC and NAACP member and Punta Gorda resident, told the council: "I think it's a bad idea. Very bad." Several speakers, including education and immigrant‑rights advocates, warned that deputizing local officers for immigration duties would damage trust between police and immigrant communities and could increase legal exposure for the city.

City Attorney (Mister Levin) urged caution, saying provisions in the MOA went beyond giving officers authority to handle administrative warrants. Levin flagged paragraph Roman numeral 5 of the agreement and quoted language that, in his view, ‘‘would authorize the local police officers the power and authority to interrogate any alien or person believed to be an alien, as to his right to remain in United States,’’ and noted other clauses that could authorize arrests and issuance of immigration detainers. Levin said those broader powers raise potential liability and that the MOA does not obligate ICE to reimburse the city for legal costs or interpreter expenses.

Attorney Steven Leskovich, speaking in favor of approving the MOA, said the U.S. supremacy clause and longstanding cooperative agreements with federal agencies mean local officers can lawfully assist in certain federal investigations. "They're City Of Punta Gorda Police Officers who would be trained by federal agents," Leskovich said, arguing training and retained local policies would limit misuse.

Council members asked for clarifications during discussion. Chief Smith said participation by officers would be voluntary and that the department would continue its policies against racial profiling. After the public comment period and discussion, a council member moved to approve agenda item 5(d), the MOA; the motion was seconded and, after a voice vote, the council approved the agreement.

Council and chief also agreed to follow up with community outreach: at least one resident requested regular meetings between community members and the police; Chief Smith said she would meet with community members and that the department would organize continued engagement about the MOA’s implementation.

The council did not record a roll‑call tally in the discussion; minutes record the motion carried on a voice vote. The MOA will be processed as a consent‑agenda item with the implementing documents handled by city staff and the police department.

What happens next: the police department will identify officers who volunteer for the training, coordinate instruction with ICE (which provided training resources in staff discussions), and the city manager’s office will monitor any legal or budgetary impacts. City Attorney Levin recommended limiting the scope of the city’s participation if the council later sought to reduce potential liabilities.

Community members who addressed the council included officers, advocates and several residents who said they would watch the implementation closely and asked for regular public updates.

Ending: The MOA’s approval does not change current Punta Gorda arrest policies by itself; the council and the police chief said they will keep the community informed and will monitor legal and operational outcomes as training and implementation proceed.