TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — On Tuesday, Florida legislators initiated a significant effort to break an extended deadlock between term-limited Governor Ron DeSantis and the Republican majority in the State Legislature. This marked the beginning of a special session focused on immigration, with the intention of harnessing state and local resources to enact the mass deportation policy advocated by former President Donald Trump.
DeSantis has displayed presidential ambitions for 2028, finding himself ensnared in a unique political struggle against Trump’s supporters in the Legislature, who have resisted legislation that could potentially enhance DeSantis’ position on a crucial issue for the former president. Following days of negotiations and maneuvering, lawmakers unveiled a series of compromise bills on Monday, which incorporated contributions from DeSantis, other officials, and the White House.
As the special session addressing immigration commenced on Tuesday, the underlying tension within the Statehouse was palpable. Historically, DeSantis has enjoyed considerable influence in Tallahassee, but his challenge to Trump for the Republican nomination seems to have diminished his control. His prior directive to convene a special session was met with opposition from lawmakers who advanced alternative proposals, one of which would have stripped significant authority over immigration from DeSantis and transferred it to the state’s agriculture commissioner.
DeSantis criticized the notion of placing the agriculture commissioner in charge as akin to letting the “fox guard the hen house,” suggesting that agricultural leaders are inclined to maintain their reliance on undocumented workers. He pledged to veto the legislation deemed “weak” and asserted he would support primary challenges against legislators who backed it. Yet, after the lawmakers proposed a compromise that integrated DeSantis’ input along with the Trump administration’s perspectives, the governor endorsed the newly formulated legislation as an assertive initiative worthy of full support.
The new legislative package encompasses several prior propositions aimed at enhancing state and local involvement in the federal immigration enforcement effort to capture, detain, and deport individuals residing in the country illegally. A significant alteration in the compromise is the removal of a provision suggesting the creation of a chief immigration officer role, which was intended to be filled by the agriculture commissioner. Instead, the revised measure proposes a state immigration enforcement board consisting of the governor, the agriculture commissioner, and two additional cabinet members.
Additionally, the proposals within the package include many of DeSantis’ earlier advocated measures, such as criminalizing unauthorized entries into Florida. Another provision would instigate mandatory pretrial detention for individuals charged with serious felonies while lacking legal residency. The compromise bill similarly escalates criminal penalties for undocumented immigrants committing crimes and sets the death penalty as a potential punishment for those found guilty of capital offenses. Moreover, it aims to abolish a law allowing undocumented students access to in-state tuition rates at public universities and colleges in Florida.
The financial implications of this legislation are notable, with the estimated cost at $298 million, a sizable reduction from the initial proposal of $515 million. The current package accounts for more than eighty new immigration enforcement roles and provides funding for local governments to offset costs such as the purchase of new equipment, officer training, and bonuses for those aiding in federal enforcement. Furthermore, the controversial program initiated by DeSantis for transporting migrants out of state using taxpayer money will be dissolved, replaced by a revised method that mandates federal requests for any state assistance in migrant transport.
Politically, the ongoing discussions have revealed a stark division between DeSantis and numerous GOP legislators, showcasing their resolve to challenge a governor who once had unprecedented sway over the Florida legislature. Senate President Ben Albritton sought to minimize the apparent friction, indicating he does not foresee any lingering effects on the regular legislative session scheduled for March 4. “No, I don’t believe there’s going to be carryover,” Albritton stated. “We’ve worked our way through that.” Meanwhile, House lawmakers are exploring the option of overriding DeSantis’ budget vetoes from the previous year, a constitutional measure not exercised in 15 years, reflecting their determination to assert their authority over the governor.
