Residents urge Fort Myers council to rescind 287(g) agreement after reports of harm

Three members of the public used the meeting’s public‑comment period to urge the council to rescind the city’s 287(g) agreement with ICE. Angel Rivas criticized council votes and said police cooperation with ICE resulted in family separations and harsh detention conditions, telling the council, "You agreed to let your police force throw families in cages and destroy families and destroy communities." Rivas called for protests and local action.

Yonori Alvarez and Catherine Pogan also urged action. Alvarez recounted that a family member of someone detained in Immokalee had died by suicide and asked how many lives must be lost before the council acts. Alvarez said, "Someone killed themselves," and asked the council to place the agreement on the agenda. Catherine Pogan framed rescission as legally permitted and urged the council to consider the constitutional implications and local harms; she asked for a work session to discuss possible steps.

City staff and council acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue and discussed scheduling a work session for additional council discussion; council members referenced threats to officials from state actors as part of the political context. The council did not take immediate formal action to rescind the agreement during the meeting and directed staff to explore scheduling for further discussion.