Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signaled his intention to veto a Republican-backed immigration bill, escalating his ongoing dispute with state GOP lawmakers. DeSantis argues the bill weakens immigration enforcement, contradicting his commitment to voters and the current political climate.
In a post on X, DeSantis stated, "We must have the strongest law in the nation on immigration enforcement. The bill that narrowly passed the Florida legislature fails to honor our promises, fails to meet the moment, and would actually weaken state immigration enforcement." This follows a special legislative session convened by DeSantis to address immigration, specifically to support President Trump's immigration policies. However, the legislature passed alternative immigration bills and overturned a DeSantis budget veto, a rare move in Florida politics.
The bill in question, the Tackling and Reforming Unlawful Migration Policy Act (TRUMP Act), aims to address illegal immigration, particularly focusing on individuals with criminal records. DeSantis, however, deems the bill insufficient for effectively arresting and deporting undocumented immigrants. He advocates for stronger measures, including increased state and local support for deportations, an end to catch-and-release policies, and the elimination of incentives like remittances. DeSantis believes these steps are crucial to protecting Floridians from the negative impacts of illegal immigration.
