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Residents urge Fort Myers council to rescind 287(g) agreement with ICE
Summary
Multiple public commenters at the Sept. 15 meeting urged the council to rescind the Fort Myers Police Department’s 287(g) task-force agreement with ICE, arguing the agreement harms immigrant communities and asking the council to place rescission on a future agenda.
Several residents used public comment time on Sept. 15 to press the Fort Myers City Council to rescind the city police department’s 287(g) task-force agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Shonori Alvarez (S12) said the agreement is voluntary and can be terminated at any time, urging the council to act and calling the program dangerous to immigrant families: "Rescind the 287(g) agreement... I don't care if you have to lose your position over it," she said. Catherine Pagan (S20) echoed the request, urging the council to at least put rescission on a future agenda and explaining statutory and policy arguments why rescission is possible. Public commenter Willie Joe Schottmiller (S13) focused on homelessness and community cooperation but also acknowledged Alvarez’s point and encouraged collaboration.
Council did not take immediate action on the request during the meeting; members were thanked for their time and the meeting adjourned. The speakers asked the council to revisit the legal and policy implications in a future agenda item.
