DeSantis announces list of proposals ‘to combat illegal immigration’ in Florida

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis stood behind a “Florida Leads: Let’s Get To Work” sign on a podium during a news conference on Wednesday in Winter Haven.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey stood next to DeSantis, who announced his proposals “to combat" illegal immigration.

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“We in Florida have a sense of urgency to accomplish this mission,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis’s office released a list of proposals for Florida lawmakers including the repeal of in-state tuition for “illegal immigrant” college students.

“We have to put Floridians first,” DeSantis said.

On Monday, DeSantis called for a special Florida legislative session on Jan. 27 to support the new president’s immigration policy.

“We need to enact strong policies that are going to help this administration,” DeSantis said.

Here is the list of his proposals:

• Mandate maximum participation in the deportation program, with penalties for non-compliance, including suspension of officials;
• Establish a state crime for entering the U.S. illegally and a process for self-deportation;
• Appoint a dedicated officer to oversee coordination with federal authorities and the Unauthorized Alien Transport Program (UATP);
• Expand UATP to detain and facilitate the deportation of illegal aliens from the U.S.;
• Broaden the legal definition of gang-related activities to include more groups of dangerous illegal aliens;
• Require voter registration affirmation of U.S. citizenship and Florida residency;
• Increase penalties for unauthorized aliens committing voter fraud or providing false vote
• r registration information;
• Mandate identity verification for foreign remittance transfers; and
• Create a rebuttable presumption that illegal aliens are flight risks and deny bail.