Jan 15, 2025, 11:43 AM
Jan 14, 2025, 9:46 PM

Ron DeSantis sets special session to enforce immigration laws

Highlights
  • Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced a special session for the state legislature scheduled for January 27, 2025.
  • The session aims to align Florida's immigration enforcement laws with expected federal policies from the incoming Trump administration.
  • Donald Trump expressed gratitude for DeSantis' initiative and suggested other governors should follow suit.
Story

In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis called a special session of the state legislature for January 27, 2025, primarily focused on enforcing immigration laws and appropriating funds related to this enforcement. This decision comes ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration, as DeSantis aims to align Florida’s policies with Trump’s expected administration, which plans to issue numerous executive orders concerning immigration on its first day. DeSantis seeks to bolster local law enforcement's role in federal immigration efforts, particularly through the reinstatement of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's 287(g) program, which empowers local law officers to act on immigration matters. The proposed legislation includes measures that would expand local law enforcement participation under the 287(g) program, enabling broader cooperation between Florida agencies and federal immigration authorities. A senior Florida government official stated that the goal is to ensure that various local law enforcement agencies are trained and equipped to assist in immigration-related activities. Furthermore, DeSantis plans to appoint a state immigration enforcement officer to facilitate this cooperation and streamline operations concerning migrants residing unlawfully in the state. DeSantis previously drew attention for his controversial strategy of transporting undocumented migrants from Florida to Democratic-led states, positioning himself as tough on immigration. The upcoming special session aims not only to address the immediate immigration strategies but also to set the stage for future legislative actions, including increasing penalties for crime-related activities involving migrants and enforcing stricter measures against those who facilitate illegal immigration. While some Florida Republican leaders criticized the timing of the special session as premature, DeSantis has received endorsements from various party members and has been in close communication with Trump’s transition team. The expectation is that Trump's administration will revive aggressive policies against illegal immigration, which DeSantis intends to support through legislative actions in Florida, creating a strong state-level response to federal immigration enforcement efforts.

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