The border crisis along the southern border has continued to be center stage in American politics, Florida may face its own illegal immigration problems very soon. Governor DeSantis (R-FL) is currently getting Florida ready for a mass influx of Haitian migrants.
A humanitarian crisis in Haiti has caused speculation that Florida may be the next landing spot for refugees as it is the closest part of the United States to the Caribbean. However, it is less than ideal that this is happening amid failed negotiations in Congress to get an immigration bill done.
Unlike the federal government, the state of Florida seems prepared for what could overwhelm local South Florida authorities, with an unknown amount of migrants coming to Florida. Governor DeSantis issued this statement this week:
"For quite some time, the State of Florida has been dedicating significant resources to combat illegal vessels coming to Florida from countries such as Haiti. Given the circumstances in Haiti, I have directed the Division of Emergency Management, the Florida State Guard, and state law enforcement agencies to deploy over 250 additional officers and soldiers and over a dozen air and sea craft to the southern coast of Florida to protect our state. No state has done more to supplement the (under-resourced) U.S. Coast Guard’s interdiction efforts; we cannot have illegal aliens coming to Florida."
As of now, state agencies are already equipped with security and surveillance assets in South Florida and the Keys as a part of Operation Vigilant Sentry to stop illegal immigration at sea. The governor's additional orders will supply additional personnel and supplies to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and The Florida National Guard.
