(The Center Square) – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis responded to lawmakers’ resistance to a special session saying on Wednesday the state won’t be lackadaisical helping President-elect Donald Trump with his border security initiatives.
He proposed at a news conference in Winter Haven that lawmakers increase penalties for undocumented migrants who try to vote or “interfere in elections” and place identification requirements for those sending remittances overseas.
DeSantis was joined by Attorney General Ashley Moody; state Sens. Blaise Ingolia, R-Spring Hill, and Jay Collins, R-Tampa; along with Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey.
DeSantis said if elected officials drag their feet, they won’t be carrying out the will of the voters, a reference to a letter released by Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Bartow, and House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, on Monday that announced their opposition.
The two-term Republican governor said the Grand Old Party had a “once in a decade or maybe once in 25 years” opportunity to solve an immigration problem that he said has been one for the nation for decades.
He also said he plans to appoint a state immigration officer that will oversee the coordination with federal authorities and Florida’s existing program of repatriating undocumented migrants out of the state, most famously last year to Martha’s Vineyard.
“There’s been no issue that’s been higher on the radar consistently over these last four years than the immigration issue,” DeSantis said. “People that have run for office in Florida have run on it. They’ve run against Biden’s policies, they said they didn’t do something about it. Well, now’s your chance. Don’t say you’ll get around to it in a few months.
“No, we need action, and we need action now, and I know Florida voters will expect nothing less than our full effort and full commitment to rapidly answer the call so that we can get this job done.”
The proclamation was released on Tuesday and calls for a special session Jan. 27-31. By law, special sessions are limited to 20 days.
Not all lawmakers are resistant to DeSantis’ call for a special session.
“Now, we’re debating whether we want to do this now or wait,” Ingolia said. “I think that’s a question that it shouldn’t even have to be asked and answered. We know this stuff has to happen now. So we should not hesitate, we should not equivocate. We should do everything we can to work hand in hand with the Trump administration through our great Governor Ron DeSantis and get this done.”