Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has stirred controversy with a new immigration proposal that could see the state's National Guard acting as judicial authority in deportation cases. The plan also seeks to empower the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) to conduct independent immigration raids. According to EFE, this proposal has been submitted to the administration of President Donald Trump and includes utilizing the Judge Advocate General's Corps, a military justice branch within Florida's National Guard, to expedite legal proceedings by acting as immigration judges.
During a press briefing in Tampa, DeSantis revealed that 100 FHP officers have already been appointed as deputy marshals under the 287(g) program. This designation allows them to execute federal judicial orders and, in DeSantis's words, "remove dangerous criminal aliens." He highlighted "Operation Black Tide," a coordinated immigration enforcement effort with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that resulted in the arrest of 1,120 immigrants from April 21 to April 26.
DeSantis declared that state agents now have the authority to conduct immigration operations independently, including making arrests and initiating deportation proceedings. As part of his strategy to enhance detention efforts and bolster state-level immigration policy, the governor also proposed establishing new migrant detention centers in Florida.
"Florida will lead in the fight to enforce immigration law," DeSantis stated. In a state where immigrants make up one in five residents, with over five million foreign-born individuals according to the American Immigration Council, this proposal intensifies the restrictive immigration stance that has marked Florida's policies in recent years.
Since taking office, DeSantis has championed legislation that bans sanctuary cities, imposing fines up to $5,000 and sanctions such as the suspension or removal of officials who fail to comply with these mandates. Currently, over 100 government agencies and all counties in Florida have entered into 287(g) agreements, alongside cities like Hialeah, Doral, Orlando, Miami Springs, West Miami, Coral Gables, and Key West.
Understanding DeSantis's Immigration Proposal in Florida
What is the role of the Florida National Guard in DeSantis's proposal?
The proposal allows the Florida National Guard to act as judicial authorities in deportation processes, utilizing their Judge Advocate General's Corps as immigration judges to expedite legal procedures.
How does the 287(g) program affect Florida?
Under the 287(g) program, Florida Highway Patrol officers are designated as deputy marshals, allowing them to execute federal immigration orders and manage the removal of criminal aliens.
What impact does DeSantis's proposal have on immigrant communities in Florida?
With immigrants comprising a significant portion of Florida's population, the proposal reinforces a stringent immigration policy that could lead to increased enforcement actions and detention efforts.