GOVERNOR, STATE LEGISLATURE AGREE ON TOUGHER PENALTIES AMONG ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO COMMIT CRIMES

a group of people sitting at a table in front of a projector screen
At a Feb. 17 meeting, the Florida Cabinet appointed the state board of immigration’s first executive director, Larry Keefe. They also passed two resolutions to ensure all local officials are working with the state to detain and deport illegal aliens. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE/Contributed

On Feb. 13, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a package of bills to create tougher penalties for illegal immigrants committing crimes, all while aiding President Donald Trump’s deportations efforts through ICE. 

One piece of legislation, Senate Bill 2C, heightens penalties for any undocumented immigrant who commits unlawful acts, as well as providing maximum sentences for those who are gang members and commit crimes. And those who enter the state illegally and get caught could face mandatory jail sentences.

The bill, which passed through the Senate and House, also establishes a grant program to reimburse law enforcement agencies for expenses incurred while enforcing federal immigration law. It requires county jails to provide Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) with inmates’ immigration status. 

Another bill signed by DeSantis requires a mandatory death sentence for any undocumented immigrant convicted of a capital crime like first-degree murder or rape of a child under 12. 

“Florida now has the strictest laws of any state to combat illegal immigration,” DeSantis said following the bill signing. 

Democrats in the Legislature disagreed with a measure to remove in-state tuition for undocumented students brought to the country as children. Several amendments were made by legislators but all were defeated by Republicans, who hold a two-thirds majority in the House and Senate. 

“This is about playing politics with people’s lives,” said Rep. Dotie Joseph, a Democrat from North Miami.

An agreement between the Legislature and the governor came after Republican leaders balked at DeSantis’ request for a special session to give him the ability to deport illegal immigrations — and forcing local law enforcement agencies to collaborate with federal immigration agents. New House Speaker Daniel Perez, of Miami, and Senate President Ben Albritton, of Bartow, rejected the governor’s plan and instead put forth different immigration proposals, including giving Agricultural Commissioner Wilton Simpson immigration authority. The proposal angered DeSantis, who called the Legislature’s bill weak. 

“We are proud that over the last few weeks conversations and debate within the Legislature on these issues have been civil and respectful,” read a joint statement by Albritton and Perez to legislators. “By working together with the governor toward a shared goal, these proposals and appropriations ensure Florida continues to lead by example with the strongest crackdown on illegal immigration in the nation.” 

Representatives of the Florida Keys, state Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez and state Rep. Jim Mooney, supported the bills. 

On Feb. 17, the Florida Cabinet convened for a meeting to appoint formal federal prosecutor Larry Keefe as the first executive director for the new state board on immigration. According to the Associated Press, Keefe was a driving force behind the controversial taxpayer-funded effort in 2022 to fly about 50 migrants from San Antonio, Texas to Martha’s Vineyard. The Florida Cabinet consists of the governor, Simpson, new Attorney General James Uthmeier and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis.

Jim McCarthy
Jim McCarthy is one of the many who escaped the snow and frigid temperatures in Western New York. A former crime & court reporter and city editor for two Western New York newspapers, Jim has been honing his craft since he graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 2014. In his 5-plus years in the Keys, Jim has enjoyed connecting with the community. Jim is past president of the Key Largo Sunset Rotary Club. When he's not working, he's busy chasing his son, Lucas, around the house and enjoying time with family.