Florida recently passed new immigration legislation that Governor Ron DeSantis describes as the toughest in the nation. The state's Republican leaders have wasted no time in appointing the director of the new state board of immigration enforcement, who was involved in a controversial migrant transport program in 2022.
Key Points of Florida's New Immigration Laws
The new laws aim to increase state and local involvement in federal immigration enforcement. They include harsher penalties for immigrants without legal authorization who commit crimes, such as mandating the death penalty for capital offenses like first-degree murder. Additionally, a new state crime has been created for entering Florida without legal permission, and undocumented students are no longer eligible for in-state tuition.
Leadership in Immigration Enforcement
Florida's Governor and Cabinet members have formed the state board of immigration enforcement, appointing Larry Keefe as the executive director. Keefe, a former federal prosecutor, was instrumental in a controversial taxpayer-funded program to transport migrants from Texas to Massachusetts in 2022.
Deportation Efforts in Florida
While Governor DeSantis proposed legislation to authorize state officials to deport immigrants, the final legislation only allows removals at the direction of the federal government and in compliance with federal law. The state has allocated $298 million for immigration enforcement, falling short of the $350 million initially sought by the Governor.
Targeting of Unauthorized Immigrants
State officials have indicated a focus on criminals and individuals deemed as 'bad people' in their immigration crackdown. However, there are concerns about potential targeting of otherwise law-abiding individuals. Governor DeSantis has emphasized a broad approach, expanding state officers' authority to interrogate, arrest, and detain immigrants.
