Florida Governor Ron DeSantis expressed his intention to deputize state and local law enforcement officials to enforce immigration laws if he becomes president.
During an interview on “Face The Nation,” DeSantis emphasized the need for states and localities to supplement federal immigration enforcement efforts, citing the federal government’s failure to faithfully enforce immigration laws.
He highlighted Florida’s success in deterring illegal immigration through law enforcement cooperation with the Coast Guard and proposed extending this approach to the southern border to discourage illegal border crossings. (Trending: U.S. State Passes Personal Pronoun Ban)
“Of course it’s a federal issue, a federal interest, but states and localities should absolutely be able to supplement the federal government,” DeSantis said.
“And we’re in a situation now where the federal government asserts, under the supremacy clause of the Constitution, that they have the sole dominion over enforcing immigration laws, but they’re choosing not to faithfully enforce immigration laws.”
“As president, I am going to deputize state and localities,” he added.
“I am going to say, state and localities have the authority to enforce immigration laws as long as they’re upholding the law. It’s one thing if a state was trying to frustrate the law. Of course, under the supremacy clause, they couldn’t do that.”
“But that’s not what we have here. It’s the federal government that’s frustrating the imposition – the enforcement of the law. It’s the states that just want the law enforced.”
DeSantis emphasized the potential deterrent effect of enforcing immigration laws and returning individuals to their home countries.
“It’s the same principle applied to the southern border. People know if they just get to the border they’re going to get free passes into the United States,” he said.
“So, they’re going to be willing to pay thousands of dollars to coyotes and cartels. If we have a new sheriff in town on this and they know they’re going back to their home country you’re going to see a dramatic decrease in people that will even try this voyage.”
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