Ron DeSantis, the Republican governor of Florida, has become one of his key allies. Ron DeSantis is pushing extreme measures that have sparked fear among immigrants, who now live in fear while carrying out daily activities such as taking their children to school, attending medical appointments, or going shopping.
The death penalty as a tool against undocumented immigrants
Ron DeSantis is convinced that undocumented immigrants who commit serious crimes should face the death penalty. Florida lawmakers are seeking to implement this penalty “automatically” and “mandatorily” for those who remain in the country illegally and are convicted of capital crimes. The bills HB 3C and SB 4-C would allow courts to apply the maximum penalty to undocumented immigrants convicted of first-degree murder, sexual assault of minors, or drug trafficking. Additionally, it would extend this penalty to members of criminal gangs.
The proposal has sparked strong disagreements. While some Republicans support it, Democrats and legal experts consider it unconstitutional. The bill eliminates the discretion of judges and juries, imposing the death penalty without considering “aggravating” or “mitigating” factors. Critics argue this violates the 6th Amendment and overturns 50 years of legal precedent established by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Organizations and experts reject the measure
Maria DeLiberato, executive director of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP), denounced that the SB 4-C bill does not address the root causes of migration or improve immigration policies.
“Any expansion of the death penalty in Florida is alarming, but this expansion, slipped into legislation aimed at addressing immigration, is particularly dangerous,” she stated.
The measure comes after Donald Trump signed an executive order to “restore the death penalty and protect public safety.” Unlike Ron DeSantis‘ proposal, Trump’s order allows judges to exercise discretion when issuing sentences.
Ron DeSantis and Trump’s supporters in Florida aim to instill fear and ensure compliance with the former president’s anti-immigration policies.
Additionally, the bill makes it a misdemeanor for undocumented immigrants over 18 to remain in Florida, with penalties of up to nine months in jail. Repeat offenders could face a year and a day in prison, and mandatory minimum sentences of five years are established for those who return to the state after a deportation order.
With these actions, Ron DeSantis and Donald Trump reinforce their stance against illegal immigration, though criticism is swift. Organizations like FADP insist these measures do not solve the immigration problem but instead exacerbate it.
