Immigration advocates voiced strong criticism of Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis and the state legislature on Monday. This follows a weekend of federal immigration raids across south Florida that resulted in more than 950 arrests on Sunday. In a striking political maneuver, Florida Republicans dealt a significant blow to DeSantis by rejecting his proposed immigration crackdown.
On Monday, the Florida legislature voted almost unanimously to override DeSantis’s previous veto of substantial portions of the state’s budget. This move thwarted the governor's ambitions to make it a state crime for undocumented migrants to enter Florida, exert pressure on local law enforcement to support deportation efforts, and end in-state tuition rates for non-citizens. DeSantis also sought to expand the controversial Unauthorized Alien Transport Program (UATP), which has faced widespread criticism.
The legislature's actions came after an abrupt end to a special session called by DeSantis. The session was intended to secure approval for measures aligned with former President Donald Trump’s hardline immigration policies. However, Republican lawmakers in the Florida House and Senate "gaveled out" of the session, effectively sidelining DeSantis's proposals. This decision marked a significant departure from their previous unwavering support for the governor.
Senate President Ben Albritton accused DeSantis of attempting to undermine the legislature’s authority to draft laws. Albritton pledged that both chambers would pursue their own immigration bill, adhering to the "spirit and letter" of President Trump’s policies without the governor's input.
“President Trump is clearly leading from the Oval Office and has everything under control. Sometimes leadership is not about being out in front. It’s about following the leaders you trust, and I trust President Trump,” Albritton stated.
DeSantis, who has increased funding for the executive office of the governor by 70% over six years, faced an unexpected backlash from his party. The legislature’s decision to override his budget vetoes underscored their disapproval of his strategies and signaled a shift in political dynamics within the state.
The legislative rebuke highlighted growing concerns over DeSantis's focus on divisive immigration measures rather than addressing pressing state issues such as economic challenges. Critics argue that DeSantis's approach mirrors extreme enforcement tactics reminiscent of the Trump administration, detracting from crucial matters like lowering living costs and boosting wages.
“They serve primarily as a platform for advancing extreme immigration enforcement reminiscent of the Trump administration’s policies rather than being laser-focused on lowering the cost of living or increasing wages. DeSantis is choosing to ignore the economic crises he has created and is instead using the state as a testing ground for divisive immigration measures to bolster his political image,” noted one critic.
Despite DeSantis's push for aggressive immigration policies, lawmakers appear committed to charting their own course. As Albritton indicated, they aim to address immigration issues expeditiously yet thoughtfully.
“We have the opportunity to move both expeditiously and thoughtfully. We do not have to choose between right now and getting it right,” emphasized another observer.
This legislative session also underscored concerns about the governor's attempts to consolidate power within his office. State representatives emphasized the importance of maintaining an independent legislative branch free from executive overreach.
“This veto was at best a misunderstanding of the importance of the appropriation, or, at worst, an attempt to threaten the independence of our separate branch of government. Whatever the rationale, this Special Session represents the first opportunity to correct this veto,” stated Perez.
Furthermore, organizations like UnidosUS expressed apprehension regarding Florida's focus on national political ambitions instead of addressing local needs.
“UnidosUS is deeply concerned by the state’s focus on immigration policies designed to posture for national political ambitions rather than address the urgent needs of Floridians,” said Jared Nordlund.