Florida Governor DeSantis Unveils Expanded Illegal Immigration Enforcement with State Agencies

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis held a news conference in Tampa to discuss the state's intensified crackdown on illegal immigration, highlighting the use of the 287g agreement that empowers local law enforcement to carry out immigration enforcement under ICE oversight. The governor emphasized Florida's leadership in immigration enforcement efforts, citing operations such as Operation Tidal Wave, which resulted in the detention of over 1,100 undocumented immigrants in less than a week. DeSantis announced that more than 100 Florida Highway Patrol officers have been designated as special marshals, enabling them to conduct immigration operations independently of federal authorities. The press conference, attended by leaders from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and the Florida State Board of Immigration Enforcement, underscored a coordinated state-level approach to immigration enforcement. The event was streamed live to ensure public access and transparency regarding the state's policies and enforcement strategies. DeSantis affirmed that these measures represent the beginning of ongoing broad interior enforcement efforts to address illegal immigration in Florida.