Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has called a special session of the state legislature, set to begin Monday, to address immigration issues. The session is intended to bring forward several proposals focused on immigration enforcement and measures designed to curb illegal immigration. However, the call for the special session has met with pushback from some of his fellow Republican lawmakers, who have labeled the timing as “premature.”
DeSantis announced the special session earlier this month, just a week before President Donald Trump’s inauguration. The governor cited his discussions with Trump about curbing illegal immigration and promoting mass deportations as the rationale for taking a proactive role. DeSantis emphasized the importance of Florida playing a leadership role in supporting Trump’s immigration agenda.
Governor’s Proposal Highlights
Among the key measures DeSantis has proposed is one that would require local counties and cities to participate in the federal deportation program, with penalties for noncompliance, including the suspension of elected officials. He has also called for a state law that would make it a crime to enter the U.S. illegally and for a requirement that individuals show identification and immigration status when sending remittances abroad—potentially preventing undocumented immigrants from sending money back to their home countries.
Republican Lawmakers Express Concerns
Despite the governor’s push for the special session, Republican leaders in the state legislature have expressed concerns about the timing and approach. Senate President Ben Albritton and House Speaker Daniel Perez, in a letter to DeSantis, noted that while they support the goal of combating illegal immigration, the legislature should have the authority to decide when and what immigration legislation should be considered.
This pushback represents a shift in the relationship between DeSantis and the state legislature, where, in the past, the governor largely aligned with legislative leaders on major issues. This disagreement may signal a changing political dynamic as DeSantis enters his final term as governor.
Immigrant Communities and Advocacy Groups React
The proposals put forward by DeSantis are already causing alarm among immigrant communities in Florida. With approximately one in five Floridians being an immigrant, advocacy groups like the Florida Immigrant Coalition are sounding the alarm about the potential consequences. Tessa Petit, head of the Florida Immigrant Coalition, stated that the fear created by the Trump administration’s immigration policies has already shaken immigrant communities. She warned that DeSantis’ proposal to give local law enforcement the authority to act as immigration agents would further strain relations between police and immigrant communities, potentially leading to fear of reporting crimes.
Furthermore, Petit expressed concern over DeSantis’ proposed remittance restrictions, highlighting the devastating economic impact this could have on countries like Haiti and Nicaragua, where many families rely heavily on remittances from relatives in the U.S. She warned that such policies could destabilize these countries further and drive even more migrants to the U.S.
DeSantis Threatens to Call Another Special Session
In response to the pushback from Republican lawmakers, DeSantis has indicated that he could call for another special session if the legislature does not take action on immigration legislation during this one. In a statement, DeSantis likened himself to a dog with a “bite on the ankle” regarding immigration, emphasizing his commitment to pushing for these measures. However, legislative leaders are pointing out that the regular legislative session begins in just over a month, and they prefer to tackle immigration and other issues at the appropriate time during the regular session.
While DeSantis continues to push for immediate action, it remains unclear whether the special session will result in any concrete legislative outcomes, or if the legislature will ultimately defer action until the regular session begins.
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