Florida Governor Ron DeSantis delivered a strong message after suffering a legislative setback in his strategy against illegal immigration. The Republican, who faced an insurrection within his own party, stated: “I will keep fighting until lawmakers take the necessary steps to help the Trump Administration fulfill its mandate.”
Internal conflict over immigration policies
The clash between Ron DeSantis and Republican legislators in Florida revealed a significant political fracture. Through his X account, the governor criticized his party’s leaders after they approved a bill he described as “weak” and “absurd.”
“The same legislators who campaigned to stop illegal immigration and deport illegal immigrants rejected my call for a special session and passed diluted legislation that weakens our current laws. Floridians deserve better than this deceptive attempt to turn Florida into a sanctuary state,” wrote Ron DeSantis.
On January 27, Ron DeSantis called a special legislative session to present proposals aimed at strengthening immigration policies. However, Republican leaders Ben Albritton, Senate President, and Daniel Pérez, House Speaker, ignored his initiative and convened their own session.
The TRUMP act and its implications
According to a statement from the Governor’s Office, Ron DeSantis’ proposals included criminal penalties for local authorities who failed to cooperate with federal agencies and restrictions on remittances sent from Florida. However, Albritton and Pérez’s agenda culminated in the approval of the Tactics and Reform of Illegal Migration Policy Act, also known as the TRUMP Act.
This initiative, as reported by Associated Press, creates a new state agency to coordinate immigration tasks, with a budget of $500 million. However, the agency was placed under the supervision of the Florida Department of Agriculture, which drew criticism from Ron DeSantis.
“Allowing the agriculture commissioner, who represents interests traditionally opposed to strict enforcement of immigration laws, to oversee these operations is like putting the fox in charge of the henhouse,” the governor stated.
Ron DeSantis’ immigration initiatives
Ron DeSantis believes the approved legislation “fails to fulfill the promises made to voters” and turns Florida into a “de facto sanctuary state.” Through his X account, he shared a comparative table listing the differences between his proposals and those approved by Congress.
Among the initiatives Ron DeSantis seeks to pass are:
- Repealing in-state tuition for illegal immigrant students.
- Requiring all law enforcement agencies to participate in the 287(g) Program.
- Expanding the Transportation of Unauthorized Aliens Program to deport illegal immigrants.
- Requiring voters to affirm they are U.S. citizens and legal residents of Florida.
- Mandating identity verification for remittance senders.
- Increasing penalties for unauthorized immigrants who commit voter fraud.
- Making illegal entry into the country a state crime with harsher penalties for repeat offenders.
- Presuming illegal immigrants are flight risks and denying them bail.
- Strengthening the fight against gangs.
Veto threat and uncertain future
“The veto pen is ready,” warned Ron DeSantis in response to the approved bill. “We must have the toughest immigration law in the country. We cannot be weak,” he added.
Although the Florida Legislature could seek the votes needed to override the veto, Republicans would require support from Democratic senators, which could create further divisions within the party. Meanwhile, Ron DeSantis remains steadfast in his defense of stricter immigration policies.
