TALLAHASSEE—The Department of Homeland Security asked Gov. Ron DeSantis to enter into an agreement allowing state officers to investigate and detain illegal immigrants in alignment with President Donald Trump's executive orders.
He said yes.
"We're proud to be one of the first states in the nation to be requested to enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to execute functions of immigration enforcement," DeSantis announced at a Friday press conference from the state Capitol. "[We will have] our state troopers trained and approved by ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement]."
After Texas, Florida is the second state to make a pact with DHS on immigration enforcement efforts. This will include expanding the Florida Highway Patrol's powers to allow them to interrogate "any suspected alien or person believed to be an alien as to their right to be in the United States."
It will also empower state and local authorities to detain illegal immigrants and deliver them "without any unnecessary delays" to ICE for further screening and deportation.
"With the head of steam that President Trump has being swept into office with this as the centerpiece of his agenda, now is the final opportunity to end the illegal immigration crisis in this country once and for all," DeSantis added. He referred to Trump enacting 34 anti-illegal immigration policies on his first day in office.
Last week, DeSantis signed a nearly identical Memorandum of Understanding between highway patrol and DHS granting a similar expansion of powers within Florida enforcement circles, though this week, DeSantis said, DHS approached Florida first for an agreement.
It points to his increasing attempts to walk in lockstep with the Trump administration, particularly on immigration issues. Earlier this week, DeSantis backed Trump's controversial decision to revoke protections shielding certain Venezuelan migrants from deportation.
The immigration issue came to the forefront of Florida political conversations after DeSantis ordered a special session to address ten anti-illegal immigration bills he helped craft. Scheduled for the last week of January, DeSantis said it was to help Florida move in tandem with the incoming Trump administration.
The GOP-led Legislature had other plans.
In a rare rebellion, they adjourned the session 15 minutes after it began before calling in their own session starring an anti-illegal immigration bill titled the TRUMP Act. Despite DeSantis's disapproval (he embarked on a statewide tour blasting it as "grotesque" and "weak"), they passed the bill.
DeSantis has vowed to veto the measure once it reaches his desk.
