TALLAHASSEE— The feud between Gov. Ron DeSantis and Speaker Daniel Perez over illegal immigration continues, as both men are standing firm by their respective legislative bills and proposals.
During a recent interview with The Floridian, Speaker Perez pushed back on the DeSantis administration’s assertion that his illegal immigration reform bill promoted “amnesty,” adding that did not believe “in a path to citizenship” for illegal aliens.
Speaker Perez continued, noting that Gov. DeSantis’s proposal did not call for the death penalty for individuals who commit capital offenses.
“There was his proposal, and there was our legislation. Our legislation gives the death penalty to any illegal immigrant that commits murder, that rapes children, his does not,” said Speaker Perez. “I would say that our bill is tougher on crime. Our bill automatically increases the penalty to whatever the maximum is for an illegal immigrant who's part of a transnational gang. His does not."
“The bill that every single Republican except the one voted for is weak? I respectfully have to disagree. I am able to compartmentalize personal feelings from reality. I disagree with the governor but there is no way for me to see his point of view when he states that this is a weak bill on illegal immigration,” he added.
DeSantis, who dished out a warning to potential 2026 gubernatorial candidates, has been on a statewide tour bashing Perez’s bill while contrasting the measure with his proposal.
