DeSantis signs bill to transport migrants to sanctuary jurisdictions
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that continues a program to transport migrants to other states and sanctuary jurisdictions.
“Florida is using all tools available to protect our citizens from Biden’s open border policies,” DeSantis said on Twitter.
“I am glad to have signed legislation to continue the program of transporting illegal aliens to sanctuary jurisdictions. I thank the legislature for maintaining this valuable tool.”
During a February special session, lawmakers approved a bill that continues and clarifies the governor’s authority to transport migrants to other states.
It will allow $10 million to create the “Unauthorized Alien Transport Program” within the Division of Emergency Management.
Republicans said the legislation would allow the governor to offer illegal immigrants transportation from one state to another state. Rep. John Snyder, R-Stuart, who introduced the bill in the House, said that sanctuary jurisdictions can provide certain amenities to migrants that Florida does not provide.
“Due to the humanitarian crisis at the border, and the lack of the Biden plan, we have children, mothers, families, who are literally homeless, and are fending for themselves,” Snyder said.
Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, carried the bill in the Senate.
The sponsor said the legislation applies to migrants who have already had an encounter with either DHS or ICE and have been given documentation saying that they are released but not legally entitled to be in the U.S.
The program currently sits under the Department of Transportation, where $1.6 million was reportedly spent to send nearly 50 migrants to Martha’s Vineyard. The bill rolls over the leftover $10 million as nonrecurring fund to the new program, according to the sponsor.
The bill outlines that the program is in response to the federal government failing to secure the nation’s border, leading to a surge of inspected unauthorized aliens.
Democrats said the bill allows the governor to “misuse” taxpayer dollars. During the debate Feb. 10, Rep. Daryl Campbell, D-Fort Lauderdale, brought up concerns regarding the legislation.
“The sponsor cannot sufficiently answer questions like how does the vision of Emergency Management find these migrants? How will the federal government know where these people are after they have been transported?” Campbell asked.
DeSantis previously issued an Executive Order that directs state law enforcement agencies and other state agencies to take necessary actions to protect Floridians from the impacts of the border crisis.
