DeSantis signs 3 bills aimed at illegal immigration in Winter Haven

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference Friday morning in Winter Haven to sign three bills aimed at undocumented migrants.

DeSantis spoke alongside Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, Attorney General Ashley Moody and Lieutenant Gov. Jeanette Nuñez.

The officials discussed how illegal immigration affects Florida and the measures the state has taken to address an influx of migrants that could be headed for Florida shores amid instability in Haiti.

“Our sheriffs and police chiefs are on the front lines,” Moody said.

This week, DeSantis authorized state resources to mobilize in south Florida to intercept migrant vessels. He compared their effort to get ahead of potential humanitarian crisis to preparing for an oncoming hurricane.

DeSantis touted his record on immigration and slammed the administration of President Joe Biden for not doing enough to stem the flow of migrants across the southern border.

“The federal government has failed in its responsibility to secure our southern border, leaving states to fend for themselves,” DeSantis said. “In Florida, we do not tolerate illegal immigration, let alone lawlessness committed by illegal aliens who shouldn’t be here in the first place. The bills I signed today further enhance Florida’s capabilities to uphold the law.”

During the news conference, DeSantis signed the following three bills:

• HB-1451 – will bar local governments from issuing drivers licenses to people who are in the U.S. illegally

• HB-1589 – will increase penalties for those caught driving without a license

• SB-1036 – will enhance penalties for crimes committed by people who reentered country illegally after deportation

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd spoke about the impacts of illegal immigration in his community. He said the crisis at the southern border is allowing fentanyl, human trafficking and criminal behavior to spread into Polk County.

“They aren’t coming here for a better life. They’re coming here to kill,” Sheriff Grady Judd said.

He said the influx was making his and his deputies’ jobs more difficult and called on the Biden administration to better address the crisis.

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