Gov. Ron DeSantis recently announced that more than 100 Florida Highway Patrol troopers have been sworn in as Special Deputy U.S. Marshals. The move is the latest of several initiatives by the governor to increase immigration enforcement in the state.
“Florida has led the nation on immigration enforcement, and we’re ready to do even more," DeSantis said in a press release. “We’ve submitted a plan to the federal government to contribute new detention facilities and expanded apprehension efforts to their ongoing mission to reclaim America’s sovereignty.”
According to the governor, Florida has more deputized state law enforcement officers under 287(g) task force deputizations than any other state in America. 287(g) permits U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Removal Operations (ERO) to work with state and local law enforcement partners to arrest and remove illegal aliens from the country.
With the governor's announcement, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) can now execute federal warrants and remove criminal aliens without initial direction from the federal government. In the past, FHP troopers who pulled over a suspected illegal alien would have to wait for ICE to respond.
If ICE didn't respond, the suspected illegal migrant would be released. Under the governor's move, FHP troopers have more freedom to detain, contact ICE, and transport individuals to a processing facility.
Once processed, the illegal immigrant is often transferred to a prison for deportation.
"We are proud to stand with@GovRonDeSantis in the fight against illegal immigration. FHP remains committed to upholding law and order, protecting our communities, and working with our state and federal partners to secure our border and our state," the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles said.
