Florida Governor, Republican Ron DeSantis, signed two laws on Thursday that bolster conditions for irregular migrants and facilitate the implementation of President Donald Trump's mass deportation agenda. These laws impose harsher penalties for undocumented migrants who commit crimes, stricter requirements for local officials, and changes to the state migrant transport program.
One of the most controversial aspects of the laws is the automatic imposition of the death penalty for undocumented individuals convicted of capital offenses such as murder or child sexual abuse. This provision could face legal challenges as mandatory sentences have previously been questioned for their constitutionality.
Additionally, a State Immigration Control Board has been created to coordinate legal and security actions with federal agencies. This board will have a fund of 250 million dollars to distribute among local law enforcement agencies cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The laws also establish new state crimes for illegal entry into Florida and elevate driving without a license to a felony for undocumented immigrants. Entering Florida for undocumented individuals over 18 who evade inspection by immigration agents has been classified as a crime, with a penalty of nine months in jail.
Moreover, registration as residents for undocumented students in public universities is eliminated, and local sheriff's offices are urged to enroll in a federal program that grants them authority to perform tasks of federal immigration agencies.
Governor DeSantis highlighted the legislation as the strongest in the country to combat illegal immigration and expressed that these laws are a step forward in this regard. The signing of the laws ends weeks of disagreements between the governor and state legislators amid intense debates over immigration reforms that led to multiple special sessions.
