Governor Ron DeSantis announces proposals for Immigration Special Session

Governor Ron DeSantis speaks at his January 15 press conference

Press release from the Office of Governor Ron DeSantis

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced proposals for Florida’s upcoming Special Legislative Session. The proposed actions will position Florida to quickly carry out President-Elect Donald Trump’s mandate to combat illegal immigration.

“Florida is ready to lead,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “With President Trump taking office, Florida has a unique opportunity to help facilitate the end to America’s immigration crisis.”

Proposed legislation includes:

  • Mandate maximum participation in the 287(g) deportation program, with penalties for non-compliance, including suspension of officials;
  • Establish a state crime for entering the U.S. illegally and a process for self-deportation;
  • Appoint a dedicated officer to oversee coordination with federal authorities and the Unauthorized Alien Transport Program (UATP);
  • Expand UATP to detain and facilitate the deportation of illegal aliens from the U.S.;
  • Broaden the legal definition of gang-related activities to include more groups of dangerous illegal aliens;
  • Repeal in-state college tuition for illegal immigrant students;
  • Require voter registration affirmation of U.S. citizenship and Florida residency;
  • Increase penalties for unauthorized aliens committing voter fraud or providing false voter registration information;
  • Mandate identity verification for foreign remittance transfers; and
  • Create a rebuttable presumption that illegal aliens are flight risks and deny bail. 
  • Do…something…about…the…high…insurance…costs.

    Be…a…real…leader…for…the…people…who…elected…you.

  • He’s been Governor for how long? None of this state-level legislation required Trump winning the election to enact. Could’ve and should’ve passed all these laws years ago. Now, what are you doing about insurance rates? As usual, it’s a game of “hide the ball in plain sight” for this boot heel lifting 🤡.

    • Biden’s Administration officials prevented these actions. Probably illegally, but stopped nationwide nonetheless.

    • Getting unlicensed and uninsured illegal alien drivers off Florida roads will lower auto insurance premiums.

  • This proposal will accomplish nothing. PR stunt.
    Still zero mention of addressing the criminal employers. Government isn’t serious about curbing illegal immigration/cheap labor.

    • You are correct. No new laws are needed. Enforcing existing employment laws would suffice.

  • Too late now, but Florida would be so much better off if only that border wall had been built 50 years ago.

    Along the Florida-Georgia border.

    Keeping out those Yankee carpetbaggers from Ohio and New York would have made Florida a much better place.

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