
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis calls for a special legislative session to implement President-elect Donald Trump’s immigration policies, facing opposition from his own party.
At a Glance
- DeSantis announces a special session starting January 27 to support Trump’s immigration agenda
- Republican legislative leaders oppose the session, calling it “premature” and “irresponsible”
- The session aims to empower state and local governments to combat illegal immigration
- Critics argue the session is unnecessary and could harm Florida’s key industries
- California prepares legal challenges against Trump’s anticipated immigration policies
DeSantis Pushes for Immediate Action on Immigration
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced a special legislative session to begin on January 27, just a week after President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration. The session aims to prepare Florida for implementing Trump’s anticipated immigration policies. DeSantis emphasized the need for swift action, stating that legislation is necessary to impose additional duties on local officials and provide funding for enhanced immigration enforcement.
The governor’s plan includes potential allocation of tens of millions of dollars to expand state immigration enforcement and detention efforts. DeSantis is also considering activating the Florida National Guard and State Guard to assist in enforcing federal immigration laws. This proactive approach aligns Florida closely with the incoming Trump administration’s immigration agenda.
President-elect Trump was elected with a mandate to stop illegal immigration and deport illegal aliens already in our country.
State and local officials in Florida will actively facilitate the Trump Administration’s policies against illegal immigration, and to do that we need to… pic.twitter.com/PHvNYvjAH6
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) January 13, 2025
Republican Leaders Push Back
Despite DeSantis’s enthusiasm, the special session faces significant opposition from within his own party. Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton, both Republicans, have dismissed the call for a special session as premature and potentially counterproductive.
“It is completely irresponsible to get out ahead of any announcements President Trump will make, especially when uninformed or ill-timed state action could potentially impair or impede the success of President Trump’s forthcoming efforts to end illegal immigration, close our borders and protect the sovereignty of our nation” Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton
The legislative leaders argue that the regular session, set to begin on March 4, is more appropriate for addressing immigration and other issues. They caution against acting without specific guidance from the Trump administration, suggesting that hasty action could hinder the new president’s efforts.
Potential Impact and Criticisms
Critics of the special session argue that it is unnecessary and could have negative consequences for Florida’s economy. The state’s agriculture, construction, and tourism industries rely heavily on immigrant labor, and stringent immigration policies could impact these sectors. Additionally, some point out that current laws already facilitate collaboration between local law enforcement and federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement on immigration issues.
“This is the time to get it right once and for all” DeSantis
The Florida Democratic Party has criticized DeSantis for focusing on immigration rather than addressing pressing issues such as property insurance and the rising cost of living. Democrats argue that a special session limits public input on a complex and far-reaching issue.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is calling state lawmakers into a special session to help carry out President-elect Donald Trump’s promises for a swift crackdown on immigration. https://t.co/8SHdFpn5hq
— WSVN 7 News (@wsvn) January 13, 2025
Contrasting Approaches: Florida vs. California
Florida’s approach stands in stark contrast to that of California, where Governor Gavin Newsom is preparing for legal challenges against Trump’s anticipated immigration policies. Newsom’s strategy focuses on protecting migrants and asserting state sovereignty in the face of potential federal overreach.
“We will work with the incoming administration and we want President Trump to succeed in serving all Americans. But when there is overreach, when lives are threatened, when rights and freedoms are targeted, we will take action,” Newsom said in a December statement.
This divergence highlights the growing polarization in state-level responses to federal immigration policies. As Florida moves to align closely with the Trump administration’s agenda, California and other Democratic-led states are gearing up for potential legal battles to protect their interests and those of their immigrant populations.
Sources:
- DeSantis calls for special legislative session to implement Trump’s immigration crackdown in Florida
- Gov. DeSantis’ call for special session on immigration is unwarranted | Editorial
- DeSantis calls special session to implement Trump’s immigration policies | ABC27
- Florida legislative leaders push back on DeSantis’ call for special session on immigration – CBS Miami