Governor Ron DeSantis has sharply criticized Florida’s Republican-controlled legislature after their response to his call for a special session to address illegal immigration and support President Donald Trump’s deportation program. DeSantis accused lawmakers of watering down his proposals and failing to deliver the strong reforms he says are necessary for Florida to lead on immigration enforcement.
The special session, which DeSantis called on January 13, was intended to allocate resources and pass legislation to aid Trump’s mandate to deport illegal immigrants. It also aimed to tackle other pressing issues, such as condominium regulations, disaster relief, and ballot initiative integrity. Despite initial resistance, the legislature convened this week but fell short of DeSantis’ expectations.
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“I called this special session because we have no time to waste,” DeSantis said. “Florida must lead the way in assisting the Trump Administration’s critical mission to enforce immigration laws and protect our citizens. Instead, the legislature has proposed a weak bill that does little more than create the illusion of action.”
DeSantis outlined several shortcomings in the legislature’s bill, including:
- Lack of Enforcement Duty: The bill does not impose an enforceable duty on state and local law enforcement to cooperate fully with federal immigration enforcement under the 287(g) program.
- Shift of Authority: The bill unconstitutionally transfers immigration enforcement authority from the governor’s office to the Department of Agriculture, a cabinet agency not equipped to oversee law enforcement efforts.
- Remittances and Voter Fraud: The legislation fails to address remittances, does not make it a crime for illegal immigrants to register to vote, and stops short by only criminalizing voting by illegals.
- Gang Enforcement: It does not expand the definition of “transnational criminal organization” or strengthen penalties, as proposed by the governor.
- Local Law Enforcement Resources: It does not require local law enforcement to dedicate a portion of their personnel to immigration enforcement efforts.
- E-Verify Enforcement: The bill removes enforcement capabilities from the Department of Commerce and shifts them to the Department of Agriculture, which lacks the resources and expertise to effectively manage E-Verify compliance.
DeSantis’ call for a special session met resistance from legislative leaders, who initially described it as “premature.” House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton expressed frustration, with Perez saying, “Special sessions should not be stunts designed to generate headlines.” Despite their objections, the legislature eventually convened but prioritized overriding a previous budget veto by DeSantis rather than focusing on immigration reform.
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The legislature’s actions included the surprising override of a $57 million veto, marking the first time the legislature has overturned one of DeSantis’ budget decisions. The governor rebuked the move, calling it an expansion of bureaucracy that undermines his fiscally conservative agenda.
The governor reaffirmed his commitment to strong immigration laws and accused lawmakers of betraying campaign promises to voters. “This is a unique moment in American history,” DeSantis said. “We are either going to reclaim our sovereignty, uphold the law, and protect our citizens or allow this moment to slip away.”
DeSantis also criticized the legislature’s decision to name the bill after President Trump, calling it “an insult” to the former president’s strong stance on immigration.
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President Trump has publicly supported DeSantis’ efforts, stating, “Thank you, Ron, hopefully other governors will follow!” DeSantis used this endorsement to underscore the urgency of passing meaningful immigration legislation that aligns with federal priorities.
As the legislative session progresses, DeSantis has vowed to continue pushing for stronger reforms. “The legislature’s bill is a bait-and-switch tactic,” he said. “Florida needs strong immigration legislation that ensures we are doing everything we can to assist this important federal mission.”
With the session ongoing, all eyes remain on Tallahassee as lawmakers face mounting pressure to address the governor’s demands and deliver on their promises to voters.
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