DeSantis signs immigration enforcement deal with Trump White House; Florida second state to do so | FOX 51 Gainesville
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DeSantis signs immigration enforcement deal with Trump White House; Florida second state to do so

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Published  February 7, 2025 7:49pm EST
Immigration
FOX 35 Orlando

DeSantis signs immigration enforcement deal with feds

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a new partnership between the Florida Highway Patrol and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to enhance immigration enforcement within the state.

The Brief

    • Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced a new partnership between the Florida Highway Patrol and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to enhance immigration enforcement within the state.
    • The agreement authorizes Florida Highway Patrol officers to perform specific federal immigration enforcement functions.
    • The agreement marks Florida as one of the first states to fully integrate state troopers into federal immigration efforts.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a new partnership between the Florida Highway Patrol and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to enhance immigration enforcement within the state.

The governor made the announcement at a news conference Friday hosted at the state's Capitol building in Tallahassee.

DeSantis said one of the new agreements' goals is to help President Donald Trump execute his campaign promises.

The agreement authorizes Florida Highway Patrol officers to perform specific federal immigration enforcement functions.

The agreement also marks Florida as one of the first states to fully integrate state troopers into federal immigration efforts.

"Now is the final opportunity to end the illegal immigration crisis in this country once and for all," DeSantis said at the news conference. 

What does the agreement allow Florida law enforcement to do?

What we know:

Under the new agreement, Florida law enforcement officers now will have the ability to … 

  • Coordinate directly with ICE to expedite deportations
  • Interrogate individuals suspected of being in the country illegally
  • Detain and process undocumented individuals for deportation
  • Enforce felony arrests related to federal immigration laws
  • Serve and execute arrest warrants for immigration violations

Gov. DeSantis, Florida sign agreement with Trump on immigration

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he has signed an agreement with President Trump to help tackle immigration enforcement in Florida and the U.S. Under the agreement between FHP and DHS, FHP state troopers will be allowed to up with federal immigration enforcement and efforts.

Although the Florida Highway Patrol will help identify and assist in the enforcement of federal immigration laws, the final decision on deportation or detainment rests with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

What is interior enforcement?

The new agreement is referred to as part of interior enforcement. 

Florida is the second state to make the agreement, with Texas leading the way as the first.

What they're saying:

Dave Kerner, executive director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, said the partnership is a "force multiplier."

"History will show that this agreement will have served as a turning point in our battle to defend our homeland and to defend our state," he said. "This agreement is larger than the words that are on its paper. It serves as a symbolic confluence of promises made and promises kept by Gov. DeSantis and President Trump to secure our borders and our homeland."

DeSantis noted Trump's campaign promise to execute mass deportation in the United States.

Full speech: DeSantis talks immigration partnership with DHS

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis discussed a new agreement between the White House, DHS, and FHP on immigration enforcement in Florida. Under the agreement, it deputizes FHP troopers to assist with some federal immigration enforcement operations, DeSantis said.

"President Donald Trump won a resounding election victory in part by promising to effectuate the largest mass deportation program in American history," DeSantis said. "Now, that is not possible to be achieved unless states like Florida actively work to facilitate federal operations, particularly with respect to interior enforcement."

What's next:

As part of the agreement, DeSantis said Florida will continue using its state resources, including the state and national guards, to assist with immigration enforcement.

DeSantis also suggested other state agencies, such as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement could be incorporated into the program if it is determined their involvement would be beneficial.

DeSantis also said he has not reached an agreement with Florida Republicans, and he still is waiting on an immigration bill.

Illegal immigration crackdown

The backstory:

Under the new Trump administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and federal authorities have unleashed a string of targeted operations, arresting several thousand illegal immigrants since Trump’s second term began on Jan. 20.

RELATED: Gov. DeSantis promises to veto TRUMP Act immigration bill

ICE officers have been seen carrying out raids of homes, work sites and other establishments, while deportations also have ramped up, with the Trump administration beginning flights this week, transporting the most violent migrants to Guantánamo Bay.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis shares plans for illegal immigration

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis discussed his plans to address illegal immigration at a press conference hosted at 11 a.m. on Friday in Destin.

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The Source: This story was written based on information gathered from previous reporting, as well as a news conference hosted by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday, Feb. 7, in Tallahassee. 

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