DeSantis Activates National Guard in Response to ‘Alarming Influx’ of Migrants Landing in the Florida Keys

By Lydia Nusbaum

Published Jan. 6, 2023, 4:05 p.m. ET | Updated Aug. 10, 2023

Source: Chief Patrol Agent Walter N. Slosar Twitter

TALLAHASSEE (FLV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an Executive Order activating the Florida National Guard to help local governments respond to the “alarming influx” of migrants landing in the Florida Keys.

“As the negative impacts of Biden’s lawless immigration policies continue unabated, the burden of the Biden administration’s failure falls on local law enforcement who lack the resources to deal with the crisis,” DeSantis said.

About 300 illegal immigrants entered Dry Tortugas National Park, which is about 70 miles of Key West on January 1, 2023. Approximately 45 illegal immigrants entered Key West at that time, according to the Governor’s Office. The massive influx led to the park’s closure in order to provide space for the illegal immigrants.

“That is why I am activating the National Guard and directing state resources to help alleviate the strain on local resources,” DeSantis said. “When Biden continues to ignore his legal responsibilities, we will step in to support our communities.”

The Executive Order also directs state law enforcement agencies and other state agencies to provide local governments with resources.

The Governor’s Office specifically pointed out the burdens the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office face with 194 deputies. Florida’s Voice previously reported on Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay’s concerns after the migrants from Cuba arrived to the Florida Keys during the weekend.

#BreakingNews @USCGSoutheast reports that all remaining migrants on @DryTortugasNPS, an #updated total of 337 migrants (not including the 90 migrants previously removed by @USCG), were removed from the island & are onboard a @USCG cutter for transfer to Key West, tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/2t8c0Mu4XU
— Homeland Security Task Force – Southeast (HSTF-SE) (@HSTF_Southeast) January 5, 2023

It is difficult for the sheriff’s office to dedicate the necessary resources to manage the movement of hundreds of migrants while also ensuring adequate public safety, according to the DeSantis Administration.

“The Biden Administration’s response has been inept, failing to provide the resources necessary to respond to the current mass migration event. Instead, the burden falls on local law enforcement, which puts Floridians at risk,” the governor’s press release said.

During the past 24 hours, Border Patrol agents & LE partners responded to 5 migrant landings & encountered 90 Cuban migrants in the Florida Keys. The migrants arrived on rustic vessels & residents notified local authorities. #fridaymorning #bordersecurity #cuba #flkeys #cbp pic.twitter.com/0u4myMZrK6
— Samuel Briggs II (@USBPChiefMIP) January 6, 2023

Since August of 2022, federal, state and local law enforcement have encountered more than 8,000 migrants in waters off the coast of Florida.

Florida House Democrats agreed that the influx of migrants “needs to be addressed” but said “making the issue about President Biden” is an attempt to “raise his own national profile.”

“His press release mentioned President Biden’s name five times but never mentioned the hardliners in Congress who’ve spent years campaigning on our broken immigration system but never working towards a real solution,” Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell said. “The Biden Administration inherited this problem, they did not cause it.”