Nearly 11,000 returned to home country after trying to enter Florida illegally

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that since Aug. 21, 2022, almost 11,000 migrants have been returned to their country of origin after attempting to enter Florida illegally.

“As Biden’s Border Crisis continues unabated, my administration is working hard to protect our communities and businesses from the many threats posed by illegal immigration,” DeSantis said.

The governor pointed to recent migrant landings off its southern coast.

“Because of our action, we have seen a drop in the number of vessels and people able to make landing in the Florida Keys, and our continued presence serves as a deterrent for illegal immigration,” he said. “By extending the State of Emergency, we will continue to surge resources to assist interdiction and repatriation efforts.”

Earlier this year, DeSantis signed an executive order activating the National Guard to clamp down on the “alarming influx” of migrants landing in the 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,” he previously said.

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

The governor’s office said over the weekend, 167 migrants were interdicted and 51 were apprehended immediately on landing.

They said that almost 350 migrant vessels were reported and 259 removed by the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

“FDEM is committed to continue working with our state and local partners to increase coastal vigilance and provide improved situational awareness on migrant activities,” FDEM Director Kevin Guthrie said. “There are many risks associated with surges in migration, and the Division stands ready to respond to any potential threat our state faces.”

In a press release, the governor’s office pointed to efforts from DeSantis’ administration to crack down on migrants entering the country, including bolstering resources to affected areas, removing migrant vessels, conducting flights to survey affected areas, working with the U.S. Coast Guard to apprehend migrants, and more.

DeSantis has been a long-time foe of the Biden administration over illegal immigration.

Most recently, Florida won a lawsuit striking down the “catch-and-release” practice, whereby migrants are released into the country despite breaking federal immigration law.

A federal judge scathed the federal government for having “turned the Southwest Border into a meaningless line in the sand and little more than a speedbump for aliens flooding into the country.”