Gov. DeSantis to decide future of a bill targeting illegal immigration in Florida
DeSantis called the bill “weak” and will have 15 days to sign or veto the legislation
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV/Florida Capital Bureau) - State lawmakers sent their proposal fighting illegal immigration to Governor Ron DeSantis.
The governor will have 15 days to sign or veto the only immigration bill he has received after spending the last two weeks pushing lawmakers to act on the issue, ending the second special session this week. Many changes came from President Trump.
“This bill has gone from bad to worse. It is still the state government inserting itself in a federal problem,” Minority Leader Rep. Frentrice Driskell, (D) Tampa said.
Some changes included an automatic death sentence for illegal immigrants convicted of violent crimes, stronger penalties for illegal immigrants who commit crimes, and the maximum sentence allowed if the person is in a gang.
Rep. Driskell worried this would open the state up to even more lawsuits.
“There is United State Supreme Court law that says that is unconstitutional so I fear we are treading into dangerous water,” Rep. Driskell said.
Rep. Alex Andrade, (R) Pensacola, said in the end this bill would save the state money.
“We no longer have to subsidize the Federal government’s failures,” Andrade said.
The proposal also eliminates in-state tuition for so-called dreamers who grew up in Florida.
“What I do want is those kids to somehow be citizens of the United States, which means their parents are probably going to have to go back through the legal process,” Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, (R) Spring Hill, said.
The governor still wasn’t on board with the TRUMP Act, posting on social media the bill was “weak” indicating a possible veto.
“Think about what he’s going on the record vetoing. He claims he doesn’t want illegal immigrants to get in-state tuition. Well, we just passed that,” Sen. Randy Fine, (R) Melbourne, said.
“That begs the question, what are really here doing?” Rep. Driskell asked.
The governor will have 15 days to sign or veto the only immigration bill coming his way after spending the last two weeks pushing lawmakers to do something on the issue.
If there’s a veto, the big question will be how many Republicans would be willing to vote to override that veto.
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