Florida Lawmakers End Governor’s Special Session, Call for Their Own

Florida Lawmakers End Governor’s Special Session, Call for Their Own

A special legislative session in Florida, called by Governor Ron DeSantis, was quickly canceled on January 27, 2025, just after it began. Instead, Florida lawmakers decided to hold their own session. The special session, which was focused on issues like illegal immigration, was planned to address some urgent matters before the regular legislative session begins in March.

What Was the Special Session About?

Governor DeSantis had called the session with a sense of urgency, especially regarding the issue of illegal immigration. The governor has often referred to illegal immigration as a “crisis” in Florida, and he wanted to take action before the regular session. DeSantis spoke about the need to address this issue soon, saying that it could not wait until the regular session in March.

On January 15, 2025, the governor had a press conference in Winter Haven with local law enforcement leaders. During this conference, DeSantis discussed his plans to reduce illegal immigration. He also emphasized the importance of dealing with this issue now, especially with former President Donald Trump expected to return to the White House.

Governor DeSantis’ Proposals

Governor DeSantis shared a number of proposals with the lawmakers. These included:

  1. Stronger Immigration Enforcement: DeSantis wanted all cities and counties in Florida to help enforce immigration laws. This could mean making sure local law enforcement works closely with federal authorities to detain and deport undocumented immigrants.
  2. Criminal Penalties for Illegal Entry: The governor also proposed adding state-level criminal penalties for people who enter the United States illegally, alongside the federal penalties.
  3. Immigration Enforcement Officer: The governor suggested appointing a special state officer to coordinate with federal immigration agencies.
  4. Tougher Immigration and Voting Laws: There were also proposals to make it harder for undocumented immigrants to receive in-state tuition or attend state universities. DeSantis wanted to make sure that only U.S. citizens or legal residents could register to vote in Florida, along with other stricter measures for voting and identification.
  5. Additional Law Enforcement Powers: DeSantis proposed giving more power to local law enforcement to handle issues related to immigration, including tougher measures against gangs and broader definitions of gang-related activities.

Why Did the Session End So Quickly?

Despite the governor’s plans, many lawmakers, including those from his own party, disagreed with the idea of holding a special session. State Senate President Ben Albritton and House Speaker Daniel Perez, both Republicans, were outspoken in their opposition.

They argued that the session was premature and not needed at the moment. Albritton and Perez felt that they should wait until President Trump’s administration began addressing the issue more clearly. Perez went further, saying that many of DeSantis’ proposals seemed unnecessary and would only create more bureaucracy without solving the problem.

Albritton added that he didn’t want to take any action that could interfere with President Trump’s plans for immigration. He said, “President Trump clearly has the situation under control and is leading from the Oval Office.”

What Happens Next?

After the session was cut short, lawmakers decided to call their own meeting to address immigration and other issues. While they support stronger immigration laws, they believe it’s better to wait until the national government takes action, especially with Trump’s upcoming presidency.

The issue of immigration remains a top priority for DeSantis and other lawmakers. However, it is unclear when or how the state legislature will move forward with these proposals. For now, Florida’s legislative leaders will continue to wait for federal guidance before making further decisions on immigration reform.

(Source : fox13news.com)

Yvonne Jones

Yvonne Jones

Yvonne Jones is a news reporter working at MCHS Red and Grey. She covers crime, local weather and national news at our news outlet. She usually spends her free time in library,

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