The Trump admin has declared war on illegal immigration. They want to get it down to next-to-zero.
That’s why President Trump sighed in relief as he reached a key agreement to stop illegal immigration.
Florida Expands Role in Immigration Enforcement with Federal Partnership
Florida has taken significant steps in its approach to immigration enforcement, securing an agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to carry out federal immigration enforcement operations. The arrangement, announced by Governor Ron DeSantis, grants state law enforcement officials the authority to execute the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) 287(g) program. This program allows state officers to assist in the identification and deportation of individuals who have entered or are residing in the United States illegally.
Florida becomes the second state, following Texas, to formalize such an agreement under the administration of former President Donald Trump. Governor DeSantis emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating, “Florida law enforcement officers are already doing great work, and we look forward to unleashing even more resources to capture and deport the illegal aliens who were invited into our country by the Biden administration. These next four years must be when we end the illegal immigration crisis once and for all.”
Today, Director Kerner and the Florida Highway Patrol, at the direction of @GovRonDeSantis, entered into a comprehensive federal enforcement and detention 287 (g) agreement with the Department of Homeland Security. This agreement will allow State Troopers to enforce federal… pic.twitter.com/WQx3FrJtCt
— FLHSMV (@FLHSMV) February 8, 2025
The state’s aggressive stance on immigration enforcement aligns with DeSantis’ stateside efforts to address illegal immigration at the state and national levels. The agreement is part of a concerted push to reinforce state law enforcement’s ability to address what the governor sees as a crisis exacerbated by federal policies under President Biden.
DeSantis, now in his second term as governor, has long been a proponent of tough immigration measures. In his remarks, he noted that his administration has been working in “good faith” with Florida’s legislative leaders to ensure state laws align with the urgency of immigration enforcement. He also pointed to recent legislative efforts, including the passing of the Tackling and Reforming Unlawful Migration Policy Act, or TRUMP Act, which he signed into law in a special session on January 28.
While the TRUMP Act was seen as a step forward, DeSantis has expressed concern that the bill does not go far enough to facilitate deportations. He warned that the bill may actually limit the state’s current efforts to combat illegal immigration, especially in light of the new agreement with the federal government.
Since taking office in 2019, DeSantis has been a vocal advocate for strong immigration enforcement. Under his leadership, Florida became the first state to deploy more than 1,000 law enforcement officers and National Guard personnel to Texas as part of Operation Lonestar in 2021. Additionally, since January 2023, Florida has repatriated over 17,000 individuals and seized 420 vessels in Operation Vigilant Sentry, which focuses on the state’s southern waters and the U.S. Coast Guard’s enforcement efforts.
The new partnership with ICE and DHS further enhances the state’s immigration enforcement capabilities. Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Director Dave Kerner emphasized the significance of the agreement. He highlighted that Florida law enforcement agencies have already benefited from federal assistance in targeting criminal organizations, such as the Tren de Aragua and MS-13 gangs, through joint operations.
Kerner also praised the 287(g) program, describing it as “a key weapon in the immigration fight.” By participating in this program, more than 2,000 Florida Highway Patrol troopers will gain the authority to conduct immigration-related interrogations, process individuals for immigration violations, and utilize other federally-deputized powers.
“This agreement will be seen as a turning point in the battle to defend our homeland and our state,” Kerner said, pointing to the significance of the expanded enforcement measures.
BREAKING: Ron DeSantis just announced that Florida law enforcement will now be deputized as immigration agents.
"This program allows ICE enforcement and Removal operations to partner with state and local enforcement agencies to identify and remove already incarcerated criminal… pic.twitter.com/VNBZwzsrV3
— George (@BehizyTweets) February 7, 2025
The Conservative Column will update you on any news from the Trump administration and DeSantis administration agreements.
