New FL Immigration Laws Back Trump Deportation Measures

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Weeks after tension arose between Florida lawmakers and Gov. Ron DeSantis, the governor on Thursday signed two immigration bills that reportedly seeks to back President Donald Trump's deportation plans.

Florida’s new legislation mandates the death penalty for immigrants in the U.S. without legal authorization who commit capital offenses such as first degree murder or child rape. It’s a provision that goes above and beyond Trump’s executive orders.

"The bill(s) I signed today makes Florida the strongest state in the nation for immigration enforcement," DeSantis said in a Facebook post. "This legislation will enlist state and local law enforcement to assist the Trump Administration with re-establishing the rule of law, removing illegal aliens from our country and protecting our communities. Florida is happy to lead, and I hope other states follow suit."

DeSantis approved the bills after legislative leaders brokered a compromise that settled a weekslong standoff among the state’s top Republicans over how best to support Trump’s sweeping crackdown on illegal immigration.

At a news conference, DeSantis called the bill the "ticket to the dance" and the "strongest legislation to combat illegal immigration of any state in the entire country."

According to NBC News, Trump played a key part in initially negotiating the latest immigration policies but did not directly participate in the legislation's final stages.

The goal of state lawmakers was to piece together legislation that would situate Florida in the position to support the Trump Administration, NBC News reported.

“Ultimately this is a win for Donald Trump," Republican Sen. Joe Gruters, the bills' sponsor, said in an Associated Press report. "Because that’s what this is all about."

DeSantis said the legislation creates a safer and secure environment in Florida.

In the words of DeSantis, state lawmakers have now implemented the following immigration laws that:

• Makes it a state crime to enter Florida as an illegal alien.
• Requires state and local law enforcement to assist the federal government in immigration enforcement.
• Enumerates the governor’s authority to remove local officials who fail to cooperate with federal deportation or immigration enforcement efforts.
• Prevents the ‘catch and release’ of illegal aliens by establishing the presumption that they will not be released on bail.
• Eliminates in-state tuition for illegal immigrants.
• Enhances criminal penalties for transnational gangs and offenses committed by illegal aliens, including voter crimes.

The Associated Press contributed reporting and writing.