Ron DeSantis Reinforces Stance on Illegal Immigration in Florida, Issues Stern Warning

Governor Ron DeSantis delivered a decisive message on illegal immigration during his annual State of Florida address, held in the House chamber at the Tallahassee state Capitol on Tuesday. He emphasized that Florida will maintain its strict immigration policies and will not serve as a sanctuary for undocumented immigrants.

"The era of catch and release is over. Voters have spoken, and we are committed to being part of the solution, not the problem," DeSantis asserted. "We are not a sanctuary state; we are a state of law," he added.

Economic and Fiscal Achievements

Beyond immigration, DeSantis highlighted Florida's economic and fiscal accomplishments, noting the state's consistent growth. "We boast one of the top five fiscal environments in the nation," he stated. "We have no state income tax and have passed billions in tax relief over the past six years," he added.

According to DeSantis, Florida's economy has led the nation over the past two years, with unemployment remaining below the national average for more than 50 consecutive months. He also emphasized that tourism continues to be a pivotal engine for the state, with over 142 million visitors in 2024, including 3.3 million Canadian tourists.

Commitment to Tax Relief

Regarding fiscal policies, the governor assured that there would be no state tax hikes in 2025, emphasizing Florida's commitment to prioritizing tax relief for its residents. Among his proposals are the elimination of the business tax and new tax exemptions for marine fuel, benefiting boaters and fishermen.

DeSantis also addressed concerns over property taxes, acknowledging that "people are being hurt by these taxes" and proposed the possibility of including a constitutional amendment on the 2026 ballot to provide relief to taxpayers.

Education and Environmental Focus

In educational matters, DeSantis noted that Florida ranks first in the nation and applauded the expansion of the Florida Choice program. He also highlighted the $4.6 billion investment in teacher salaries.

On the environmental front, he mentioned that the Florida Wildlife Corridor spans 18 million acres and highlighted funding for the conservation of species like the Florida panther and Everglades restoration projects.

Legislative Actions and Social Policies

The governor also referenced legislation enacted under his administration, including the implementation of the death penalty for pedophiles. Additionally, he mentioned the strengthening of protections for human life and the removal of gender ideology from schools.

On social policies, he highlighted the Hope Florida program, which has helped nearly 30,000 individuals reduce their reliance on government assistance, generating annual savings of over $108 million for taxpayers.

Insurance Industry Critique

DeSantis announced an investigation into property insurance companies, indicating evidence that they have diverted billions in profits while claiming losses to lawmakers for favorable reforms. He also assured that auto insurance rates would decrease by 6% to 10.5% in 2025.

With a speech reaffirming his conservative stance and commitment to the economy, security, and education, DeSantis promised that Florida will continue to be a "taxpayer-friendly" state, distancing itself from permissive immigration policies.