DELRAY BEACH, Fla. - House Republican Michael "Mike" Caruso (R-Delray Beach) applauded state lawmakers this week for working on two illegal immigration bills and a memorial during the special session that likely ends a combative political gridlock with Gov. Ron DeSantis.
"Major victory on the illegal immigration bill! This is a huge win for Florida and a testament to our unwavering commitment to law and order," Caruso said. "Make no mistake—this change wouldn’t have happened without your voices expressing your values. Let’s continue to fight for our state and country!"
According to the graphic from Caruso, HB 1C, HB 5C, and HM 5C all cover a wide range of illegal immigration issues. The list of acts was essentially driven by President Donald Trump, who largely ran on a mandate to fix the country's illegal immigration crisis.
Among its sweeping reforms, Florida would have a multi-member State Board of Immigration Enforcement as opposed to a single chief immigration officer. The board would be comprised of the governor, commissioner of agriculture, attorney general, and chief financial officer.
Under the original plan, Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson would have been given all the authority on illegal immigration enforcement.
The legislation package would also broaden the bail and pretrial release standard to include a rebuttable presumption, a legal principle that presumes something to be true unless proven false, for any illegal alien who commits a forcible felony behind bars.
It also would double the funding for the Local Immigration Grant Program to $250 million. Moreover, the State Immigration Enforcement Council would be increased to four police chiefs and four sheriffs.
Among its new additions, the package would create a state-level crime for any individual who enters or reenters the state illegally. It also would replace the Unauthorized Alien Transport Program with a new program at the request and direction of ICE.
Notably, state taxpayer costs from the enforcement would be fully reimbursed.
Caruso was the lone House Republican to vote against the "TRUMP Act", a previous immigration bill passed by the Florida Legislature that Caruso said was a weak pro-amnesty bill and disingenuously titled.
The criticism was also apparently bad enough to get him removed from his chair position.
A final vote on the package is expected on Thursday.
