Immigration laws – Governor Ron DeSantis signing documentation – Photo: Yes Market Media/Shutterstock.com
On Thursday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a comprehensive set of immigration laws that will implement President Donald Trump’s plan for mass deportations.
Republicans claim that the legislation places Florida, a state that has historically been a sanctuary for immigrants, at the forefront of conservative-led states’ efforts to increase state and local funding for federal immigration enforcement.
Legislators in Florida are setting themselves up for a potential legal battle as they push a measure that opponents claim is unconstitutional, as Trump supporters in state capitols throughout the nation scramble to deliver on the president’s signature issue — despite worries from immigrant activists.
According to Florida’s new law, foreign nationals who enter the country illegally and commit deadly crimes like first-degree murder or child rape will be executed. This clause surpasses the scope of Trump’s executive directives.
After weeks of disagreement among the state’s leading Republicans about how best to back Trump’s broad crackdown on illegal immigration, legislative leaders mediated a deal that resulted in DeSantis approving the bills.
Before signing the measures and giving a sharpie to each of the legislative leaders gathered behind him, DeSantis declared, “Today, the Florida Legislature has passed the strongest legislation to combat illegal immigration of any state in the entire country.” “We are leading the way in resolving the crisis of illegal immigration.”
However, given that the term-limited governor is generally anticipated to have presidential ambitions in 2028, the tensions that pitted Trump’s supporters against DeSantis, who dared to run against him for the nomination, might not go away.
“In the end, Donald Trump has won this. Because that’s the main goal here,” stated Republican Sen. Joe Gruters, a major Trump ally and bill sponsor.
DeSantis criticized Congress’ earlier plans as “weak” and a “betrayal” of conservative voters, but the process was brutal.
Gruters stated that “hurt sentiments are still present on all sides.”
In addition to grants to educate and equip local agencies, bonuses for officers who support federal operations, and compensation for leasing detention facilities, the $298 million would be used to hire more than 50 new immigration-focused law enforcement personnel.
Additionally, the proposal requires immigrants who commit capital crimes while in the country illegally to be executed. Democrats and civil rights activists argue that the clause is illegal, citing earlier rulings from the Supreme Court.
The measures would establish a new felony of entering the state after entering the United States illegally and stiffen punishment for all offenses committed by immigrants in the nation without permission.
Legislators abandoned an earlier plan to deprive the governor of most of his emergency immigration powers as part of the agreement.
A legislation that permits Florida students who are in the nation illegally to be eligible for in-state tuition at public colleges and universities is repealed in a provision that sparked bipartisan opposition.
In order to intensify Trump’s immigration enforcement, lawmakers in other southern states are enacting their own legislation.
The Alabama Senate swiftly advanced its own set of proposals Thursday, including making it illegal to bring an undocumented immigrant into the state, requiring jails to collect DNA from unauthorized immigrants in their custody, allowing jails to hold people to verify their immigration status, and ending the state’s recognition of driver’s licenses from other states that are issued without proof of citizenship.
“These bills don’t affect you if you enter Alabama legally or enter the country legally,” stated Republican Sen. Wes Kitchens, who sponsored one of the bills.
Democrats opposed the legislation, accusing Republicans of “grandstanding,” and they now proceed to the Alabama House.
Jasmin Hernadez-Alamillo, a recent graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the daughter of Mexican immigrants, expressed her concern that the proposals may result in racial profiling during traffic stops. She also stated the measures make her reconsider her decision to live in the state.
According to Hernadez-Alamillo, “I don’t necessarily want to be part of a state that is going to continuously perpetuate this negative sentiment around marginalized communities.”
A bill that permits local governments to be sued for failing to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement was also approved by the Georgia Senate on Thursday.
The bill would reinforce a Georgia legislation that was passed last year in response to the murder of 22-year-old Laken Riley, a nursing student at the University of Georgia, by Venezuelan immigrant Jose Ibarra, who officials claim entered the country illegally. In order to locate and detain undocumented aliens, the law requires law enforcement agencies to work with federal officials. If they don’t, they face penalties.
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Born and raised in South Florida, Krystal is a recent graduate from the University of Miami with professional writing experience at the collegiate and national news outlet levels. She’s a foodie who loves all things travel, the beach, & visiting new places throughout Florida.