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Gov. Ron DeSantis held two roundtables on Wednesday, including one in Fort Myers, speaking to the need for strong legislation when it comes to immigrant enforcement in Florida.
The roundtable discussions were held with law enforcement officials and Floridians impacted by illegal immigration. Together, they discussed what they say is the “urgent need” for the Sunshine State to pass strong legislation and assist the Trump Administration in border enforcement.
In a post on “X” following the roundtables, DeSantis said, “Today in Titusville and Fort Myers, I was joined by law enforcement and an angel mom to highlight the failures of the Florida Legislature's weak bill on illegal immigration that would actually hinder state enforcement efforts.
“After first rejecting my call for a Special Session on combating illegal immigration, the Legislature dismissed our strong proposals and instead tried to sell us a bill of goods which fails to address this crisis. I called for legislation to make illegal immigration a state crime, end catch-and-release, stop illegals from sending money from Florida back to other countries, prevent illegals from registering to vote, and affirmatively require maximum participation from state and local law enforcement in the federal deportation program. The Legislature's bill does none of these.
“This is unacceptable. President Trump was elected with a mandate to stop illegal immigration and deport illegal aliens already in our country, and instead of helping fulfill this mandate, Florida legislators are wasting time and insulting their own constituents.
“This is not a time for half-measures.”
DeSantis was joined by Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Executive Director Dave Kerner, and Angel Wife Nikki Jones. Ivey and Kerner discussed what they say are the failures of the legislature's newly passed bill to provide support and authority to law enforcement entities currently engaged and equipped to enforce immigration law in Florida.
"The bill the Florida Legislature passed last night fails to honor our promises to voters, fails to meet the moment, and would actually weaken state immigration enforcement," DeSantis said. "We must have the strongest law in the nation on immigration enforcement that will guarantee state and local deportation assistance, end catch and release, eliminate magnets such as remittances, and adopt supporting policies that will protect Floridians."
FLHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner said, "The legislature's bill will stop FHP and FDLE's efforts to collaborate with local and federal agencies by frustrating communication requests for assistance and instead put roadblocks up that pervert the execution and enforcement of Florida immigration law. Gov. DeSantis understands the role of law enforcement and wants to provide the strongest immigration law possible, empowering law enforcement to get to work and deport illegal aliens residing in the state."
Earlier this month, the governor called a special session of the Florida legislature to address illegal immigration which he said is affecting communities across the state.
According to DeSantis’ office, his proposals included:
• Repealing in-state college tuition for illegal immigrant students (passed in 2014)
• Requiring all law enforcement agencies to participate in the 287(g) program, which allows ICE to partner with state and local law enforcement partners to arrest and remove noncitizens who undermine our nation's safety.
• Expanding the Unauthorized Alien Transport Program, which we used to send aliens to so-called "sanctuary jurisdictions," to allow for the transportation of illegal aliens outside of the United States.
• Requiring a person registering to vote to affirm that he or she is a United States citizen and legal resident of Florida.
• Requiring a licensee to verify the identity of each sender of a foreign remittance transfer.
• Increasing the crime for an unauthorized alien who falsely swears to an oath or affirmation in connection with or arising out of voting or elections to a felony of the second degree.
• Increasing the crime for an unauthorized alien who willfully submits any false voter registration information to a second-degree felony.
• Making it a state crime for aliens entering the United States illegally, with increasing punishment intervals for repeat offenders.
• Presuming illegal aliens are flight risks and deny them bail.
• Strengthening law enforcement against gangs by expanding the statutory definition of "gangs" to include certain Venezuelan street gangs.
DeSantis’ office said instead of passing a bill with these critical elements, “the legislature passed a weaker bill that effectively guts immigration enforcements in the state of Florida.”