Governor Ron DeSantis held a series of roundtable discussions on Wednesday with law enforcement officials and Floridians impacted by illegal immigration, emphasizing the urgent need for robust state legislation to address the ongoing immigration crisis.
The discussions, held in Titusville and Fort Myers, focused on strengthening Florida’s immigration enforcement measures and supporting the Trump administration’s efforts to secure the southern border.
During the event, Governor DeSantis also presided over the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations division. The agreement aims to enhance collaboration between state and federal agencies to enforce immigration laws more effectively.
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DeSantis Criticizes Legislature’s “Weak” Immigration Bill
Governor DeSantis did not mince words in his criticism of the Florida Legislature’s recently passed immigration bill, which he argued falls short of addressing the state’s needs.
“The bill the Florida Legislature passed last night fails to honor our promises to voters, fails to meet the moment, and would actually weaken state immigration enforcement,” DeSantis said. “We must have the strongest law in the nation on immigration enforcement that will guarantee state and local deportation assistance, end catch and release, eliminate magnets such as remittances, and adopt supporting policies that will protect Floridians.”
The governor’s proposed measures, which he outlined during a special legislative session earlier this month, included repealing in-state tuition for undocumented students, requiring law enforcement agencies to participate in the federal 287(g) program, and expanding the Unauthorized Alien Transport Program to allow for the deportation of illegal aliens outside the United States.
Other proposals included stricter voter registration requirements, enhanced penalties for illegal voting, and stronger enforcement against gangs, including Venezuelan street gangs.
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However, the legislature’s bill, according to DeSantis, failed to incorporate these critical elements. “Instead of passing a bill with these essential measures, the legislature passed a weaker bill that effectively guts immigration enforcement in the state of Florida,” he said.
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey and Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Executive Director Dave Kerner joined Governor DeSantis in expressing their disappointment with the legislature’s bill. Sheriff Ivey emphasized the need for stronger enforcement tools, while Director Kerner highlighted the challenges posed by the bill’s limitations.
“The legislature’s bill will stop FHP and FDLE’s efforts to collaborate with local and federal agencies by frustrating communication requests for assistance and instead put roadblocks up that pervert the execution and enforcement of Florida immigration law,” Kerner said. “Governor DeSantis understands the role of law enforcement and wants to provide the strongest immigration law possible, empowering law enforcement to get to work and deport illegal aliens residing in the state.”
The roundtable also featured emotional testimonies from Floridians directly impacted by illegal immigration. Nikki Jones, the wife of a law enforcement officer, shared her family’s experience and stressed the importance of stronger immigration laws to protect communities. “We need laws that keep our families safe and hold those who break the law accountable,” Jones said. “This isn’t just about politics—it’s about our safety and our future.”
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Governor DeSantis has long been a vocal advocate for strict immigration enforcement. Under his leadership, Florida has implemented some of the nation’s strongest E-Verify laws, which require businesses to verify the legal status of their employees. He has also taken steps to increase transparency around the economic impact of illegal immigration and has deployed state resources, including the Florida State Guard, to patrol the state’s southern waters and assist with border security efforts.
“As enforcement operations begin to ramp up under President Trump’s leadership, the time for delay is over; the time to act is now,” DeSantis said. “There can be no half-measures. We must pass the strongest immigration enforcement legislation possible to protect Floridians and uphold the rule of law.”
Governor DeSantis’s push for stronger immigration legislation comes amid growing concerns over border security and the economic and social impacts of illegal immigration.
While the legislature’s recent bill has drawn criticism from the governor and law enforcement officials, DeSantis remains committed to advancing his proposals and ensuring that Florida has the tools necessary to address the crisis.
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