Fort Myers, Florida — July 26, 2026
The effects of immigration enforcement extend far beyond arrests. Across several neighborhoods in Fort Myers, mattresses, piles of clothing, furniture, and children’s toys lined the curbs outside apartment buildings where, according to a legal observer, families had been detained or deported.
Accompanied by fellow photojournalist Dave Decker and a legal observer, Jose Mejia spent the day documenting the impact increased ICE activity has had on immigrant communities.
The legal observer described the scenes as a recurring pattern.
“It’s very common to see families’ belongings left out on the street, and then a rental sign goes up almost immediately afterward. Sometimes these items sit there for weeks before the city comes to pick them up. It’s really sad. These are our neighbors. Behind every pile of furniture, clothing, or children’s toys is the story of a family. It’s not just a pile of trash.”
The abandoned belongings served as visible reminders of the human impact that immigration enforcement can have on families and communities, transforming ordinary household items into evidence of sudden displacement.
Photos by Jose Mejia
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