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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urged his fellow Republican state lawmakers on Thursday to take immediate action on illegal immigration, emphasizing that he would fight like a "junkyard dog" and warning of political consequences if they resisted, so they better not blow their nose on Ron's cape, if you get my drift.
DeSantis was pressing the Florida legislature ahead of a special session set for next week, where he aims to get new laws passed that would align with President Donald Trump's federal immigration policies. However, GOP leaders have labeled the session "premature" and suggested they might end it without addressing DeSantis's proposals.
DeSantis warned that this would be a significant political error. "It would be very, very hazardous politically," he told reporters at a roundtable at the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. He also hinted at calling another special session if there was any delay in action from the GOP leaders.
"I have my constitutional authority to wield in this process and I will continue to wield it as appropriate so that we're able to get the job done," he said, adding that he would fight like a "junkyard dog" to get his immigration policies enacted. "You don't let go."
DeSantis wants the laws to mandate state and local officials follow the new immigration directives from the White House and to allocate funds for this purpose. He also seeks legislation to punish officials who don't adhere to Florida's "anti-sanctuary policies," according to WPTV.
Additionally, he asked lawmakers to look into more hurricane relief, tackle ballot initiative signature fraud, and deal with increasing HOA fees.
House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton responded lukewarmly to DeSantis's call for the special session on Jan. 27. In a statement from Jan. 13, they called it "irresponsible" to act before Trump makes any immigration announcements, criticizing DeSantis for presenting only "fragmented ideas" without detailed bill language.
"Lawmakers 'will decide when and what legislation we consider,'" the leaders of the Florida House and Senate stated.
Trump has already started issuing executive orders for "mass deportations" of illegal immigrants. He declared an emergency at the southern border on Monday, sent 1,500 troops there, and terminated the CBP One app program which was used by the Biden administration to process migrants at entry points under humanitarian parole.
His administration then kicked off a widespread deportation effort, with ICE agents working across various U.S. cities and states.
The Department of Homeland Security has also reversed some restrictions on ICE set by the Biden administration, revisiting parole policies and broadening the use of expedited removals for new illegal immigrants.
Additionally, Trump's team has worked to resume building the border wall and bring back the Remain-in-Mexico policy, which keeps asylum-seekers in Mexico while their cases are processed.
These actions have led to a 35% decrease in illegal crossings at the southern border, according to multiple Department of Homeland Security sources cited by Fox News Digital.
DeSantis dismissed the legislature's reservations, saying, "we've been waiting years for this moment. It's not premature."
"We can't drag our feet. We can't wait for something to go into effect in July. We need something immediately and we need to get everything moving, and we need to do what we told the people that elected us that we would do."
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