DeSantis deploys personnel to ‘protect’ Florida from potential Haitian migrant ‘invasion’

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration is preparing for how the state will deal with any potential Haitian migrants fleeing their home country for the U.S., should they enter from Florida’s coast.

Personnel will be sent to the Florida Keys and Florida’s southern waters. With the governor’s orders, up to 133 Florida State Guard soldiers will be deployed to assist.

Haiti is facing tremendous violence and political upheaval. Gang violence has been surging and the country’s prime minister recently resigned, prompting worries as to the stability of the country as a functioning state.

“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,” DeSantis announced Wednesday. “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.”

Agencies currently have security and surveillance capabilities stationed in the region to prevent illegal immigration.

The governor’s office said Wednesday that the new directive will send more personnel totaling over 250 officers.

“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,” he said.

DeSantis’ administration also casted blame on the Biden administration for illegal migrants feeling “empowered” to intrude on American soil. The state described the current situation as fending off a potential “invasion.”

Florida’s southern coast is around 600 miles from Haiti.

This week, the U.S. Coast Guard that operates in Florida’s region turned away dozens of migrants back to Haiti. They received food, water, medical attention and shelter.