DeSantis Threatens Veto on Florida Immigration Bill Amid GOP Tensions
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis threatens to veto a Republican-backed immigration bill, claiming it fails to enforce strong immigration laws amid tensions with state lawmakers.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suggested Wednesday he will veto a state Republican-sponsored immigration bill, claiming it would weaken illegal immigration enforcement.
The threat of a veto arises as DeSantis continues to clash with state Republican lawmakers, stating they passed a diluted immigration bill.
"We must have the strongest law in the nation on immigration enforcement. We cannot be weak," DeSantis wrote on X. "The bill that narrowly passed the Florida legislature last night fails to honor our promises to voters, fails to meet the moment, and would actually weaken state immigration enforcement."
This week, the GOP-dominated Florida legislature concluded a special session called by the two-term governor to discuss various proposals aimed at assisting President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown.
Rather, state lawmakers conducted their special session, where they enacted other immigration bills and overrode a DeSantis budget veto, marking the first time in 15 years the legislature has overturned a Florida governor's veto.
Shortly after lawmakers passed the Tackling and Reforming Unlawful Migration Policy Act, or TRUMP Act, DeSantis remarked, "The veto pen is ready."
He labeled the bill as a weak attempt to arrest and deport illegal immigrants, specifically those with criminal records.
"The removal of illegal aliens residing in our state requires strong legislation that will guarantee state and local deportation assistance, end catch and release, eliminate magnets such as remittances, and adopt supportive policies that will protect Floridians from the scourge of illegal immigration," he wrote.
