Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced a special legislative session, set for the week of January 27, to align state policies with the incoming Trump administration’s agenda, particularly focusing on immigration enforcement.
DeSantis emphasized the state’s role in supporting federal immigration laws, stating, “State and local officials in Florida must help the Trump administration enforce our nation’s immigration laws.” He outlined plans to introduce legislation that would:
- Impose additional duties on local officials to assist in immigration enforcement.
- Provide funding to support these enforcement activities.
- Hold accountable those violating Florida’s anti-sanctuary policies.
- Eliminate incentives for illegal immigration into the state.
The Governor also mentioned the possibility of deploying the Florida National Guard and the Florida State Guard for in-state enforcement measures. Additionally, DeSantis called for the repeal of a law that allows undocumented students to qualify for in-state college tuition.
This move has sparked debate among state lawmakers. Democratic leaders have criticized the timing and focus of the special session, arguing that it overlooks other pressing state issues. Florida House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell expressed concerns about the limited public input during special sessions and questioned the necessity of addressing these issues outside the regular legislative session scheduled for March.
The special session will also address other matters, including hurricane relief, reforms for the state’s condominium market, and changes to the citizen ballot initiative process. However, the primary focus remains on aligning state policies with the anticipated federal directives under President-elect Donald Trump’s administration.
As the session approaches, discussions continue regarding the implications of these proposed measures on Florida’s communities and the state’s relationship with federal immigration authorities.