Florida Troopers Granted Immigration Enforcement Powers Under DeSantis Plan

Governor Ron DeSantis announced an agreement to deputize state troopers to assist federal immigration authorities, intensifying Florida's role in immigration enforcement.

• Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security to empower state troopers to perform immigration enforcement functions under section 287(g) of the Immigration and Naturalization Act.
• The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) will receive training to detain, arrest, and process undocumented immigrants, but details on costs, training logistics, and the number of troopers involved remain unclear.
• DeSantis criticized the state legislature's recent immigration bill as insufficient and is pushing for stronger state laws to mandate local cooperation with federal deportation efforts.
• Concerns have been raised by law enforcement officials over inadequate funding and staffing, with the FHP already facing budget shortfalls and nearly 150 vacancies.
• This move aligns with President Trump's immigration agenda, as Florida joins Texas in granting state law enforcement expanded immigration powers to accelerate deportations.

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