FL. Gov. Ron DeSantis: "Florida will no longer depend on Donald Trump on immigration issues"
With the new program, Florida will verify immigration status without relying on ICE, and will be able to assist in deportations. DeSantis assures that this reduces Trump's dependence on immigration issues.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that more than 100 agents of the Florida Department of Highway Patrol (FPH) are now members of the U.S. Marshals as special delegates. The "Special Deputation Program" makes it possible for the FPH to actively enforce federal orders and process detainees.
"Florida will no longer depend on Donald Trump for immigration issues," said DeSantis. This new measure means that Florida agents can verify immigration status and collaborate on deportations without relying on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Florida and ICE: Operation Tidal Wave
Although Florida will no longer depend on ICE to carry out deportations, they have been working together since last April on Operation Tidal Wave. Under Section 287(g), which allows collaboration between local and state agencies and ICE to identify and arrest people without legal status.
As a result of Operation Tidal Wave, more than a thousand arrests were made in just one week. Now, Florida will no longer depend on ICE to conduct raids related to immigration issues. DeSantis is currently working on a proposal to have National Guard lawyers serve as immigration judges in these cases.
ICE will no need to go to Florida since new Gov. Ron DeSantis' meassure to arrest people with no legal papers. Photo: AFP News
Wrongful Detentions in Florida
This new system will affect immigrants. According to the American Immigration Council, they represent 22.1% of the state's population. Fifty-five percent are naturalized citizens, and 10.3% live with at least one immigrant parent.
However, with Operation Tidal Wave, there have been many wrongful arrests. One case reported by the Associated Press involved Juan Carlos Lopez Gomez, an American-Mexican citizen who was arrested in April, with authorities claiming he had no legal status. However, Lopez has a Georgia ID and was born in the U.S.
FPH officers do not have body cameras during their operations, and according to Akber, Lopez's lawyer, they detained people based on appearance. The Department of Homeland Security also recommends that the Marshals improve their case monitoring and controls. They also stated that the channels to report abuses should be strengthened.
