Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation on Friday aimed at discouraging illegal immigration, as President Biden’s manufactured border invasion continues to rage.
“The federal government has failed in its responsibility to secure our southern border, leaving states to fend for themselves,” DeSantis said during a press conference. “In Florida, we do not tolerate illegal immigration, let alone lawlessness committed by illegal aliens who shouldn’t be here in the first place.”
According to a summary released by DeSantis’ office, Senate Bill 1036 will heighten penalties for crimes committed by illegal aliens who unlawfully reenter the United States after previously being deported. For example, “a third-degree felony (up to 5 years in prison) after deportation will [now] be charged as a second-degree felony (up to 15 years in prison).” The law is set to take effect on Oct. 1, according to Florida’s Voice.
House Bill 1451 prohibits Florida localities from “accepting ID cards issued to illegal aliens by other jurisdictions.” State law already bars counties and municipalities from issuing government IDs to foreign border crossers. The final bill signed by the GOP governor, House Bill 1589, “increases penalties on individuals who operate a vehicle without a driver’s license.”
Both measures will take effect on July 1.
The new laws strengthen legislation signed by DeSantis last year, which according to an office press release, made “using E-Verify mandatory for any employer with 25 or more employees, impose[d] enforceable penalties for those employing illegal aliens, and enhance[d] penalties for human smuggling.” The law also negated ID cards issued to illegal aliens in other states, barred local governments from providing ID cards to illegal aliens, and required hospitals “to collect and submit data on the costs of providing health care to illegal aliens.”
During Friday’s presser, DeSantis also revealed that Florida Fish and Wildlife officers intercepted a vessel comprised of 25 suspected Haitian nationals last month. Upon apprehending the boat, state authorities discovered firearms, drugs, and night-vision gear. The alleged illegal immigrants were turned over to the Coast Guard for deportation, according to DeSantis.
The revelation came two days after after the governor deployed state authorities to Florida’s southern coast to combat a suspected influx of illegals coming from Haiti, amid the country’s civil unrest.
[READ: Biden’s Band-Aid Border Policy Fueled Haiti’s Descent]
Florida’s crackdown on illegal immigration runs in stark contrast to the ongoing border invasion furthered by Democrats. Since taking office, Biden’s administration has enacted policies that have allowed more than 10 million illegal immigrants to pour over the U.S.-Mexico border, according to the Washington Examiner.
Last month, House Republicans impeached Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for his role in facilitating the ongoing crisis. The House GOP has neglected to use congressional budget fights to force the administration to enforce existing immigration laws and defend U.S. sovereignty, however.
Shawn Fleetwood is a staff writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of Mary Washington. He previously served as a state content writer for Convention of States Action and his work has been featured in numerous outlets, including RealClearPolitics, RealClearHealth, and Conservative Review. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood
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