Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced a sweeping set of immigration policies aimed at restricting border crossings, increasing deportations, and completing the construction of a border wall. DeSantis, a top Republican contender for president, unveiled his immigration plan near the U.S.-Mexico border in Eagle Pass, Texas. His plan includes ending birthright citizenship, a policy that gives children of undocumented immigrants citizenship if they are born in the U.S. He also wants to end so-called “catch and release” and would detain migrants crossing the border until their hearing dates.[0] DeSantis would deny entry to any migrant at the border claiming political asylum and tax remittances from migrants living in the country illegally to pay for the construction of a border wall.
DeSantis also wants to authorize appropriate rules of engagement at the border so that those trying to smuggle drugs into the United States are met with the use of force.[1] According to the release, cartel operatives cut through portions of the border wall with impunity and poison communities with dangerous drugs.[0] DeSantis claims that this will end on January 20, 2025. And if the Mexican government drags its feet, DeSantis reserves the right to operate across the border to secure the territory from Mexican cartel activities.[2]
As the governor of Florida, DeSantis has taken an interest in border issues, which has attracted attention from Democrats. In the previous year, he faced criticism for arranging flights to Martha’s Vineyard for migrants. Critics claimed that the migrants were deceived into coming under false pretenses.[3] Similar flights were organized by his office to Sacramento earlier this month. As part of his plan, DeSantis would end birthright citizenship, which some scholars believe would require a constitutional amendment.[4] While president, Donald Trump promised to end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants via executive order, though he never followed through with the promise.
DeSantis has also announced the formation of a nationwide sheriff’s coalition aimed at combating crime arising from the border crisis.[5] The coalition consists of more than 90 sheriff’s offices from across the country teaming up to fight back against what they call the border crisis. DeSantis has pledged to end “catch and release” and reimpose the so-called “Remain in Mexico” policy.[0]
DeSantis’ immigration policies have caused turmoil in Florida, with many criticizing his hardline stance. However, he has defended his policies, stating that he has listened to people in D.C. for years and years, Republicans and Democrats always chirping about immigration but never actually bringing the issue to a conclusion.[6] He claims that he doesn’t want hollow rhetoric and is motivated to bring this issue to a conclusion.[7]
In conclusion, Governor Ron DeSantis’ immigration plan is a sweeping set of policies aimed at restricting border crossings, increasing deportations, and completing the construction of a border wall. While his policies have caused some turmoil in Florida, DeSantis defends them, stating that he wants to bring the issue of immigration to a conclusion and not just engage in hollow rhetoric.
0. “DeSantis takes aim at Trump on immigration” POLITICO, 26 Jun. 2023, https://www.politico.com/news/2023/06/26/desantis-trump-immigration-00103638
1. “DeSantis announces ‘No Excuses’ plan to secure U.S. border” News 13 Orlando, 26 Jun. 2023, https://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2023/06/26/desantis-announces–no-excuses–plan-to-secure-the-u-s–border
2. “DeSantis pitches crackdown on illegal immigration in first major policy proposal of his campaign” ABC 57 News, 26 Jun. 2023, https://www.abc57.com/news/desantis-pitches-crackdown-on-illegal-immigration-in-first-major-policy-proposal-of-his-campaign
3. “DeSantis vows to try to end birthright citizenship for kids of undocumented migrants” KTRK-TV, 27 Jun. 2023, https://abc13.com/desantis-vows-to-try-to-end-birthright-citizenship-for-kids-of-undo/13430791/
4. “Ron DeSantis tries to undercut Donald Trump’s strength on border policy” Sarasota Herald-Tribune, 26 Jun. 2023, https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/politics/2023/06/26/ron-desantis-tries-to-undercut-donald-trumps-strength-on-border-policy/70356436007
5. “New national coalition of sheriffs forms to address border crisis” The Center Square, 22 Jun. 2023, https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/article_1d279390-1123-11ee-9d81-73e4b5c27d63.html
6. “Ron DeSantis says he’ll end birthright citizenship as president” Yahoo News, 26 Jun. 2023, https://news.yahoo.com/ron-desantis-says-ll-end-164208052.html
7. “DeSantis pitches a Trump border plan without ‘excuses’ as he shifts to national policy” The Washington Post, 26 Jun. 2023, https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/2023/06/26/desantis-border-plan-trump
