Governor Ron DeSantis is convening a special session of the Florida Legislature to align state policies with President-elect Donald Trump’s forthcoming immigration agenda. The session is scheduled to commence the week of January 27, shortly after Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
DeSantis emphasizes the necessity for Florida to act promptly, anticipating immediate executive orders from the new administration aimed at intensifying immigration enforcement. He asserts that Florida must be prepared to support federal initiatives, stating, “We have a responsibility to be in this fight.”
Key proposals for the special session include:
- Criminal Penalties for Illegal Entry: Introducing state-level criminal charges for individuals unlawfully entering Florida, complementing existing federal laws.
- Empowering Local Authorities: Granting local law enforcement the authority to detain and deport undocumented immigrants involved in criminal activities, in collaboration with federal agencies like ICE.
- Mandatory Enforcement Participation: Mandating full cooperation from Florida law enforcement in enforcing federal immigration laws, with potential suspensions for officials neglecting these duties.
Additionally, DeSantis proposes repealing a law that permits undocumented students to pay in-state tuition rates, aiming to remove incentives for illegal immigration.
Despite the governor’s urgency, top Republican legislative leaders, including House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton, consider the special session request premature. They prefer addressing these issues during the regular legislative session, citing the need for clear federal guidance before taking state action.
President-elect Trump has expressed support for DeSantis’s initiative, encouraging other governors to adopt similar measures. Trump has pledged to execute the largest deportation effort in U.S. history, prompting states like Florida to prepare accordingly.
In contrast, states such as California are preparing to oppose the incoming administration’s immigration policies. Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed allocating $50 million to legal battles against federal deportation and detention efforts, highlighting a national divide on immigration enforcement strategies.
The special session is set to begin the week of January 27, with outcomes that could significantly impact Florida’s approach to immigration enforcement in alignment with federal directives.
