Gov. Ron DeSantis strongly criticized the new immigration reform bill passed by the Florida Legislature during a press conference in Titusville on Wednesday. Addressing a crowd of supporters and the press, he continued his fight against the Republican-led Legislature, making it clear that he opposes the proposed changes.
Speaking from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, DeSantis said the bill would limit his ability to coordinate law enforcement agencies across Florida to carry out deportations. He firmly stated that he would veto the legislation once it reaches his desk.
“We have a charge to keep. That is to end the illegal immigration crisis once and for all,” DeSantis said. “This bill is weaker than what we have today.”
The governor accused lawmakers of deliberately crafting a weak policy that protects access to illegal labor for businesses. He expressed frustration over what he called an attempt to soften Florida’s stance on immigration enforcement.
DeSantis was joined by Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Director Dave Kerner, and Nikki Jones, the wife of a man who died in a 2019 traffic accident involving an undocumented immigrant. Their presence underscored the emotional and legal weight of the issue.
A key point of DeSantis’ objections centered around the bill’s requirement for law enforcement agencies to work with the Department of Agriculture on immigration matters. On social media, he warned that this would create a “conflict of interest” since the agriculture commissioner represents industries that have historically opposed strict immigration enforcement. He argued that assigning enforcement duties to the Department of Agriculture would put the wrong people in charge, calling it “the fox guarding the henhouse.”
“If you’re really serious about immigration enforcement, you’d want to empower us to do the job,” DeSantis said. “They want to neuter the interior enforcement that we’re already doing.”
The governor insisted that state and local law enforcement should be given authority to carry out deportations instead of relying on federal agencies. He accused lawmakers of intentionally weakening enforcement by reducing his ability to take action.
Sheriff Wayne Ivey expressed strong support for DeSantis, emphasizing that Florida’s sheriffs are ready to take action as soon as the legislation is finalized. “We’re ready to rock and roll,” Ivey said, showing his commitment to enforcing stricter immigration laws.
Kerner shared similar concerns, saying that the Legislature ignored warnings about the bill’s flaws. He pointed out that many state and local agencies already cooperate on immigration matters, but forcing them to go through the Department of Agriculture could slow things down. “This bill frustrates those relationships,” Kerner said. “To put that roadblock in our way will have a devastating effect.”
The debate over immigration has intensified since former President Donald Trump’s recent inauguration. Since taking office, Trump has pushed for a nationwide crackdown on undocumented immigrants, including an executive order targeting birthright citizenship. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has reported over 4,500 arrests since Thursday, making immigration enforcement a top national priority.
The Florida Legislature named its bill the “Tackling and Reforming Unlawful Migration Policy Act,” or the TRUMP Act. DeSantis repeatedly claimed that Republican lawmakers in Florida were undermining Trump’s agenda by passing a bill that weakens immigration enforcement. He argued that their actions could effectively turn Florida into a “de facto sanctuary state.”
“If you’re really serious about immigration enforcement, you’d want to empower us to do the job,” DeSantis said. “That’s how you fulfill the mandate.
Disclaimer: This article has been meticulously fact-checked by our team to ensure accuracy and uphold transparency. We strive to deliver trustworthy and dependable content to our readers.