DeSantis Rolls Out Blueprint To Fast-Track Deportation Operations
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently announced a series of legislative proposals aimed at facilitating the anticipated deportation operations of illegal immigrants under the incoming Trump administration. During a press conference, DeSantis emphasized Florida’s readiness to take the lead in addressing the immigration crisis. His proposed legislation includes severe measures such as criminalizing illegal entry into the U.S., expanding the definition of gang-related activities to encompass more hazardous illegal aliens, and repealing in-state tuition for undocumented students.
The plan also advocates for maximum participation in the federal 287(g) deportation program, imposing penalties for non-compliance, including the suspension of officials. Additional provisions suggest that a dedicated officer be appointed to coordinate with federal authorities and oversee the Unauthorized alien Transport Program (UATP) to enhance deportation efforts.
Furthermore, the proposals aim to strengthen voter registration requirements, increase penalties for illegal voting, and assume that illegal aliens are flight risks, thereby denying them bail. These initiatives build on prior immigration legislation enacted by DeSantis. However, the governor’s call for a special legislative session to mobilize resources for these measures has met resistance from some Republican leaders, who deemed it premature. DeSantis has responded by asserting that Floridians will hold their representatives accountable for any lack of support in advancing these immigration reforms.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis revealed a series of legislative proposals on Wednesday designed to help expedite the incoming Trump administration’s planned deportation of illegal aliens in the country.
“Florida is ready to lead,” DeSantis said during a press conference introducing the measures. “With President Trump taking office, Florida has a unique opportunity to help facilitate the end to America’s immigration crisis.”
According to an office press release, the governor’s proposed legislation includes provisions establishing “a state crime for entering the U.S. illegally and a process for self-deportation,” expanding “the legal definition of gang-related activities to include more groups of dangerous illegal aliens,” and repealing “in-state college tuition for illegal immigrant students.”
The blueprint also includes a requirement for “maximum participation in the 287(g) deportation program, with penalties for non-compliance, including suspension of officials.” According to Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE), that initiative allows federal immigration officials “to delegate to state and local law enforcement officers the authority to perform specified immigration officer functions under the agency’s direction and oversight.”
DeSantis’ proposal further contains provisions that would designate a “dedicated officer to oversee coordination with federal authorities and the Unauthorized Alien Transport Program (UATP)” and “[e]xpand UATP to detain and facilitate the deportation of illegal aliens from the U.S.”
Policies mandating “voter registration affirmation of U.S. citizenship and Florida residency,” increasing penalties against illegal aliens registering and voting in elections, requiring ID verification for “foreign remittance transfers,” and crafting a “rebuttable presumption that illegal aliens are flight risks and deny bail” were also outlined by the governor, according to his office.
The measures seemingly build upon legislation signed by DeSantis in recent years to crack down on illegal immigration throughout the Sunshine State. Those bills included provisions enhancing penalties for illegal border crossers and requirements that employers with 25 or more employees use E-Verify to determine their workers’ citizenship status, among other changes to state law.
Wednesday’s press conference comes two days after DeSantis called for a special session of the Florida Legislature the week of Jan. 27 to mobilize the funding and resources necessary to carry out Trump’s nationwide deportation operations. Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton, both Republicans, appeared to rebuff the idea of a special session, calling it “premature” in a letter sent to legislators on Monday.
DeSantis clapped back at the legislature’s Republican leadership on Wednesday, suggesting that Floridians will hold GOP legislators who fail to get on board “accountable.”
“You’re basically saying after four years of Biden’s really destructive immigration and border policies that it’s somehow premature for us to act with a new President coming in. Are you kidding me?” DeSantis said.
Trump thanked DeSantis for calling a special session in a Truth Social post on Tuesday and expressed hope that “other Governors will follow” his lead. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee appeared to do just that, announcing on Wednesday his plans to call a special session of the Volunteer State’s legislature to “consider public safety measures related to immigration to ensure the state is prepared for federal policy implementation,” according to the governor’s office.
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