Controversy arises in Florida over ICE deportation agreement targeting criminals: City officials express shame

After President Donald Trump signed an executive order targeting criminal migrants throughout U.S. communities, one Florida city’s showdown with the governor has created a ripple effect throughout the Sunshine State.

Last month, a Fort Myers City Council meeting spiraled into chaos as officials sparred over a provision allowing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to train local law officers to identify criminal aliens and aid in deportation.

ICE’s 287(g) program aims to facilitate partnerships between the federal agency and local cities throughout the country. 

Fort Myers defies DeSantis 

City officials in Fort Myers initially failed to pass the program on a 3-3 vote, with one member not in attendance, following a heated meeting that left two members in tears.

Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and Gov. Ron DeSantis talk about immigration during a press conference at the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office Training Facility gymnasium in unincorporated Palm Beach County, Florida, on Jan. 30, 2025. (Thomas Cordy/The Palm Beach Post via USA Today)

Currently, 39 states have at least one active agreement in place, with four facing restrictions due to state law, five states with no active agreements and one with pending agreements, according to ICE. 

Under an executive order issued by Trump during his second term, ICE is required to authorize state and local law enforcement officials to perform the duties of immigration officers “to the maximum extent permitted by law.” 

In February, DeSantis directed the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Florida State Guard to comply with the 287(g) deportation functions. Additionally, all 67 of Florida’s counties have signed agreements with ICE, but the future of municipalities within the state remains unclear. 

“[ICE] values our ongoing working relationship with various Florida law enforcement agencies and recognizes the continued importance of sharing information and coordinating operations with state and local law enforcement partners in a way that best serves local needs and fulfills ICE’s important national security and public safety mission,” ICE said in a statement to Fox News Digital.  

While uncertainty regarding the future of the program continues to cloud the Sunshine State, local officials who remain in lockstep with the Trump and DeSantis administrations believe ICE’s 287(g) program is the answer to keeping their cities safe from criminal aliens. 

“We’ve got to find a way to clean this mess up,” Anderson told Fox News Digital. “For decades, the can has been kicked down the road. We have got to get firm and [figure out] how we make this work.” 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.