Florida's Republican Governor, Ron DeSantis, voiced his support on Monday for the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) immigration policies amidst the escalating tensions in Minnesota after a federal agent fatally shot a protester in Minneapolis.
Speaking at a conference in Tallahassee, DeSantis praised the cooperative agreements between Florida and federal security agencies, describing them as "a model that should be emulated nationwide," as reported by AP.
According to the governor, state and local forces have, in collaboration with the DHS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), detained nearly 20,000 individuals lacking legal immigration status over the past year.
Nevertheless, DeSantis did not directly address the case of Alex Pretti, the 37-year-old man who was killed on Saturday during a federal operation in Minneapolis.
This incident, part of a series of recent shootings involving DHS officers, has sparked protests in numerous cities across the nation and ignited a political debate over the excessive use of force in immigration raids.
While several moderate Republican legislators have questioned the Trump administration's aggressive deportation campaign, DeSantis fully aligned himself with federal actions, stating that "strict enforcement of immigration laws is crucial to safeguarding public safety and the rule of law."
The governor's endorsement comes at a time when the DHS is under increasing scrutiny for the number of lethal force incidents—at least twelve since September, according to a recent NBC News report—adding political and social pressure on federal operations within the United States.
Official DHS sources reiterated that operations will continue "under the highest standards of safety and proportionality," although there have been no reports of sanctions or disciplinary reviews following the shootings in recent months.
DeSantis and DHS Immigration Policies: Key Questions
What did Ron DeSantis say about the DHS immigration policies?
Ron DeSantis expressed his support for the DHS immigration policies, praising Florida's cooperation with federal agencies as a model for the country.
How has the Minneapolis shooting affected public opinion?
The Minneapolis shooting has intensified public protests and sparked a political debate regarding the use of excessive force in immigration raids.
What is the DHS's response to the recent incidents involving lethal force?
The DHS has stated that operations will continue under high standards of safety and proportionality, though no disciplinary actions have been reported.