Gov. DeSantis Florida state troopers can now conduct immigration operations independent of federal government

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) can now independently conduct immigration operations and arrest illegal immigrants. During a press conference in Tampa, he stated that over 100 FHP troopers were sworn in as special deputy U. S. Marshals, granting them the authority to execute federal warrants. This allows them to remove dangerous criminal aliens from local communities.

DeSantis discussed a proposed plan that, if federally approved, would enable military judge advocates to serve as immigration judges, with makeshift detention spaces and transportation provided for detainees. He suggested that applying disaster response logistics could facilitate immigration enforcement. The governor emphasized that this initiative could be an effective force multiplier in addressing illegal immigration. This development represents a notable expansion of state-level powers concerning immigration enforcement. As Florida continues to seek innovative solutions to immigration challenges, this approach may influence similar policies in other states.