Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis essentially threatened to relieve certain state officials of their duties if they work to hinder President-elect Donald Trump’s efforts to enact his deportation policies with regard to migrants who are in the U.S. illegally, including any county sheriffs and state attorneys. “If those duties are clear in law, I have the authority, with respect to certain officials, to suspend them from their office if they are neglecting their duties, and that’s it,” he said. “That’s an authority that I have invoked when it’s been appropriate in the past.”
DeSantis, in convening a special legislature to begin Jan. 27 to address Trump’s immigration priorities, also expressed his intention to have the Legislature repeal a law that grants in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants. This move would overturn a policy signed into law by former Governor and current U.S. Senator Rick Scott. The policy was notably championed a decade ago by then-state Representative Jeanette Nuñez, who now serves as DeSantis’ Lieutenant Governor.
DeSantis stated that the Special Session will primarily focus on addressing illegal immigration. However, he also expressed interest in pursuing reforms to legal immigration policies, such as the H-1B visa program and chain migration. Despite these broader goals, the immediate focus of the Special Session will remain on illegal immigration, according to Florida Politics.
DeSantis said the special legislature is to enact policies quickly to align with those that will be implemented by Trump and the GOP-controlled Congress. “We are going to see a sea change in policies, particularly with respect to the border and illegal immigration,” DeSantis said. “This is an issue that has been festering in this country for many, many decades. Although the first Trump administration was much more successful than others have been, this is the time to get it right once and for all. And so the state of Florida stands ready, willing and able to be able to help facilitate these policies that will benefit Floridians and benefit the American people.”
DeSantis was one of several governors who met with Trump at an event last week at Mar-a-Lago. The governor stated that he pledged his support for the incoming president’s immigration policies. “My guys are in contact with some of their staff, so we’ll tailor what we’re doing to mirror what their policies are going to be,” DeSantis said. He highlighted that during his first year as governor, he signed legislation banning sanctuary cities, which mandated local governments to cooperate with federal authorities in enforcing immigration laws.
