Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and Republican leaders in the Florida legislature ended their weeks-long stalemate over how to support the Trump administration’s immigration policies with a new bill announced Monday.
DeSantis had originally called a special session to help President Donald Trump‘s administration’s efforts with deportations, but GOP leaders in both chambers of the state legislature said his call for action was premature. When lawmakers went to Tallahassee last month for the governor’s special session, they immediately adjourned and gaveled into their own special session, passing a different bill focused on illegal immigration.
The bill lawmakers passed featured a few key differences from what DeSantis had proposed, including vesting immigration authority in the state’s agriculture secretary rather than the governor. DeSantis threatened to veto the legislation, as both sides publicly fought for their proposals.
Florida Senate President Ben Albritton and state House Speaker Daniel Perez, both Republicans, announced a new bill and special session beginning Tuesday after working with both the governor and the White House.
“Combining important feedback received from Governor DeSantis and [Agriculture] Commissioner Simpson with the very strong legislation passed during Special Session B, we are building on the technical assistance from the White House to advance and implement strong policies and provide critical resources to support President Trump’s efforts to combat illegal immigration efficiently and effectively,” the joint memo from both leaders said.
“We are proud that over the last few weeks, conversations and debate within the legislature on these issues have been civil and respectful. By working together with the Governor towards a shared goal, these proposals and appropriations ensure Florida continues to lead by example with the strongest crackdown on illegal immigration in the nation,” the memo added.
The most notable change from the previously passed legislation is that instead of vesting immigration powers in the commissioner of agriculture, a State Board of Immigration Enforcement will be created. The board will be made up of the governor, state agriculture commissioner, state attorney general, and state chief financial officer, and decisions by the body must be unanimous.
DeSantis praised the slate of bills and thanked the leaders of both chambers of the Florida legislature for working with him on the revised legislation.
“Florida always leads. We have a responsibility to enact policies that will help end the illegal immigration crisis once and for all, and our Republican leaders have been working tirelessly to do just that,” DeSantis said in a statement.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
“With the enactment of these policies, Florida will help the Trump Administration to deliver on the President’s historic mandate to end illegal immigration. This is a big win for the people of Florida and demonstrates that we will continue to lead,” he added in the statement.
The special session to pass the new immigration legislation is set to convene on Tuesday and adjourn on Friday.