In Florida, a political battle is brewing between Governor Ron DeSantis and the state’s Republican leaders. The issue revolves around immigration policy, with the state legislature breaking away from DeSantis’ original plans and drafting their own proposals. This disagreement has created a rift within the Republican Party, with DeSantis and state lawmakers now at odds over how to address the immigration crisis.
DeSantis Calls Special Session to Address Immigration
Earlier this month, Governor DeSantis called for a special legislative session, hoping to push through immigration-related changes in alignment with President Donald Trump’s expected executive orders. The governor’s goal was to align Florida’s state laws with the broader national push to crack down on illegal immigration. However, his plans were met with resistance from top Republican lawmakers.
Republican Leaders Take Control
Instead of supporting DeSantis’ proposed legislation, key Republican leaders in the Florida House and Senate abruptly ended the special session. They quickly called for their own session to discuss immigration reforms, rejecting DeSantis’ approach. This sudden move effectively killed the immigration proposals already filed by the governor’s allies, allowing legislative leaders to draw up their own bills.
One of the most controversial aspects of the new proposals is that they aim to take immigration enforcement authority away from Governor DeSantis. Instead, the bill would grant that power to Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, who is expected to run for governor in 2026. DeSantis and Simpson have had a tense relationship, further complicating the situation.
A Shift in Power
State House Speaker Danny Perez explained that under the new plan, Simpson would be named Florida’s “chief immigration officer,” a position that doesn’t currently exist. DeSantis had also wanted to create this role, but his plan would have kept it under his own control. Perez argued that having a central figure with experience working with the federal government and law enforcement would better coordinate Florida’s immigration policies.
DeSantis Faces a Political Dilemma
The Republican leaders’ proposal places DeSantis in a difficult position. If the bill passes, the governor will be forced to either sign it, which would limit his ability to control immigration enforcement, or veto it, which could anger many of his supporters who back the hardline measures included in the bill.
The legislation includes provisions aligned with Trump’s immigration policies, such as requiring state and local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. It also calls for increased penalties for undocumented individuals who commit crimes and provides $500 million in funding to local law enforcement to help fight illegal immigration.
Pushback on In-State Tuition for Dreamers
One of the most contentious parts of the proposal is the provision to end in-state tuition for “Dreamers”—undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. Governor DeSantis has been a vocal supporter of ending this benefit, which was initially passed during former Governor Rick Scott’s administration. The move has sparked criticism from some quarters, as it could affect thousands of undocumented students who are currently benefiting from the law.
Support for Trump’s Immigration Agenda
Despite the rift between DeSantis and the state legislature, Speaker Perez emphasized that Florida lawmakers support President Trump’s immigration agenda. He stated that they had been in contact with the White House and agreed with Trump’s push to take swift action on immigration reform. However, Perez argued that DeSantis’ proposal was too narrow to fully address the needs of the state and align with the broader goals of the Trump administration.
Perez added that the new proposal was necessary to combat what he called the “crisis” at the U.S. border and that Florida must take immediate action to support the federal government’s efforts.
DeSantis’ Own Immigration Plan
Governor DeSantis had pushed for several immigration-related measures, including expanding a program he introduced in 2023 to fly migrants from Florida to Democratic-led states. He also wanted to train state and local law enforcement agencies to take on some of the responsibilities of federal immigration authorities, with funding for this training coming from a proposed $350 million budget allocation.
However, Republican leaders felt that DeSantis’ approach was too bureaucratic and would duplicate the work of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). They argued that Florida doesn’t need to create a “mini version” of ICE and should focus on a more streamlined, efficient approach.
A Bitter Battle for Control
The clash between DeSantis and the state legislature highlights the growing tensions within the Republican Party in Florida. With the 2026 gubernatorial race looming, the political stakes are high. Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, who is expected to challenge DeSantis for the governor’s office, has made it clear that he intends to assert his influence on the issue of immigration policy. DeSantis, on the other hand, faces a difficult decision: sign the legislation and lose some of his political power, or veto it and risk alienating important GOP allies.
As the battle over immigration continues, the future of Florida’s political landscape remains uncertain, with both DeSantis and Simpson vying for control of the state’s direction.
(Source : nbcnews.com)
