DeSantis calls special session to implement Trump’s immigration policies

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has called state lawmakers into a special session to help fulfill President-elect Donald Trump’s promises of a swift immigration crackdown.

Asset prepares more than 100 decrees from First day from the new White House administration, in what amounts to a shock and awe campaign on border security, deportations and a rush of others political priorities.

While Trump and his advisers have promised mass deportations, many questions remain on how they would deport the nearly 11 million people believed to be in the country illegally.

DeSantis announced Monday that he would schedule the special session for the week of Jan. 27, the week after Trump is sworn in, so that state lawmakers will be ready to help immediately implement the new president’s policies.

“Florida’s state and local officials must help the Trump administration enforce our nation’s immigration laws,” DeSantis said. “To do this effectively, we will need legislation imposing additional duties on local officials and providing funding for those local officials. »

The Republican governor said he was prepared to suspend elected officials from office if they “neglect their duties” under the new immigration mandates and would consider activating the Florida National Guard and State Guard. State of Florida to implement enforcement measures within the state. DeSantis said he plans to allocate tens of millions of dollars in new funds to help state and local officials expand their enforcement and detention efforts.

“There also needs to be action to hold accountable people who violate our anti-sanctuary policies,” he said. “Florida needs to ensure there are no continued incentives for people to come to our state illegally.”

DeSantis is also calling on Florida lawmakers to pass hurricane relief measures and work on reforms to the state’s condo market, which has seen prices rise following a security law passed by state lawmakers in 2022 following the collapse of Surfside, which killed 98 people in June 2021. The governor also wants lawmakers to overhaul Florida’s regulatory system. citizen voting initiative process of proposing constitutional amendments, after calling for a 2024 measure that would have expanded right to abortion was prey to fraud.

___ Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to cover under-reported issues.