The Biden administration’s efforts to derail state-level measures aimed at curtailing illegal immigration have not deterred Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis from signing a trio of bills into law that would increase the severity of penalties for undocumented immigrants convicted of committing additional crimes upon entering the state.
During a press conference on Friday after approving Senate Bill 1036 and two House bills, he pointed a finger at the current White House for making such an initiative necessary in his state.
“The federal government has failed in its responsibility to secure our southern border, leaving states to fend for themselves,” the governor 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.”
As SB 1036, which is set to go into effect in October, stipulates, previously deported immigrants who illegally re-enter the country will have any future criminal charges upgraded to a more serious count.
House Bill 1451 bans the acceptance of identification cards issued to undocumented immigrants from entities outside of the state and House Bill 1589 enhances the penalties associated with driving without a license. Both are slated to be implemented in July.
Earlier this year, the Biden administration filed a lawsuit against Texas over a new measure set to take effect that would give state law enforcement the authority to arrest and deport undocumented immigrants.
“Its efforts, through SB 4, intrude on the federal government’s exclusive authority to regulate the entry and removal of noncitizens, frustrate the United States’ immigration operations and proceedings, and interfere with U.S. foreign relations,” the White House complained. “SB 4 is invalid and must be enjoined.”
A temporary pause on the legislation was slated to expire on Monday as the U.S. Supreme Court prepared to weigh in on the dispute.
HAPPENING SOON? A decision from the U.S. Supreme Court on the constitutionality of Texas' polarizing border security law, a priority among Republicans, could come as soon as Monday.
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During an appearance on Fox News early Monday, GOP Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick urged the nation’s highest court to allow the measure to go into effect.
“To the Supreme Court justices who are watching Fox I’m sure this morning as they get up early, we are being attacked … by land, by sea, by air, literally millions coming across the border, many armed, many criminals, terrorists,” he said.
