HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis visited the Homestead Air Reserve Base on Wednesday afternoon, meeting with Department of Homeland Security Senior Counselor Keith Pearson and Florida sheriffs.
Florida’s efforts to help the Trump Administration in deporting people living in the country illegally is now expanding.
“We’re the only state in the country where all of the counties have done this,” said DeSantis. “All state and local law enforcement have a duty.”
DeSantis announced that all 67 sheriffs in the state, including Miami-Dade and Broward, have signed an agreement, committing to do more than just assist federal agents.
Sheriff deputies, along with members of other state law enforcement agencies like the Florida Highway Patrol, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will now have the authority to act as ICE agents.
This includes detaining immigrants suspected to be here illegally and taking them into custody to be processed for deportation.
The governor said the state is ready to do this and more.
“I’ve been asked can you provide some personnel in (Guantanamo Bay). We’re looking at that,” said DeSantis.
Local 10 News’ Christian De La Rosa asked the governor how the efforts will be funded.
“There is federal reimbursements available for operations,” he said. “We also just had appropriated $250 million from the Legislature to be able to supplement and to reimburse through these grant programs our municipal and county law enforcement agencies.”
The chief of state quickly pivoted when asked about the man now running for his office, Byron Donalds.
He is the only known politician so far announcing his run and has already secured President Donald Trump’s endorsement.
“I want to focus on today, not on the ‘26 election,” DeSantis said.
DeSantis, who has fueled rumors about his wife running for the office, had this to say when asked about Donalds earlier this week:
“He just hasn’t been a part of any of the victories that we’ve had over the left over these last years.”