Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has outlined his strategic plan to address the issue of illegal immigration within the state. This initiative is intended to align with the measures President-elect Donald Trump plans to enforce upon taking office on January 20. During a press briefing on Wednesday, DeSantis was joined by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and several state sheriffs to provide details on the proposals he aims to implement during a special legislative session scheduled for the week of January 27.
Key Components of the Proposed Plan
The governor suggested that law enforcement agencies at municipal, county, and state levels should fully engage in cooperative programs with the federal government to enforce immigration laws, according to NBC Miami. The plan includes the following measures:
- Appointing a state immigration enforcement officer to coordinate actions with federal authorities.
- Empowering local and state authorities to detain and deport undocumented immigrants.
- Establishing state-level criminal penalties for illegal entry into the country.
- Increasing penalties for election fraud committed by undocumented immigrants.
- Implementing identity verification for international money transfers to ensure senders are legally in the country.
DeSantis also announced plans to request "tens of millions" of dollars to support local law enforcement agencies. Additionally, he mentioned the potential deployment of the Florida National Guard and the State Guard to bolster these efforts and hold local officials accountable if they neglect their responsibilities.
Addressing Critics and Broader Objectives
On Monday, the Florida governor expressed his interest in calling for a special legislative session to support Trump's immigration policies. Senate President Ben Albritton and House Speaker Daniel Pérez noted that several related topics are already slated for discussion in the regular session beginning March 4. However, DeSantis emphasized that "there is no time to waste" and immediate action is essential.
The governor confirmed discussions with Trump regarding federal actions upon his administration's commencement and reiterated Florida's commitment to align its efforts with the president-elect's plans. He labeled the issue as "an illegal immigration crisis that must be resolved once and for all."
Beyond addressing illegal immigration, DeSantis aims for the special session to cover additional topics, including rising costs for condominium owners, changes to ballot initiative processes, support for the agricultural sector, assistance for residents affected by hurricanes, and the replenishment of funds for a popular home structural reinforcement program.
Understanding Florida's Immigration Policy Changes
What are the main components of DeSantis's immigration plan?
The plan includes appointing a state immigration officer, empowering local authorities to detain undocumented immigrants, establishing state-level penalties for illegal entry, increasing penalties for election fraud by undocumented immigrants, and requiring identity verification for international money transfers.
How does DeSantis plan to support local law enforcement in this initiative?
DeSantis plans to request tens of millions of dollars to aid local law enforcement agencies and may deploy the Florida National Guard and State Guard to support these efforts.
What additional issues does DeSantis want to address in the special session?
Besides immigration, DeSantis wants the session to address condominium cost increases, ballot initiative process changes, agricultural sector support, hurricane relief for residents, and funding for a home reinforcement program.