DeSantis holds a news conference with emergency officials as a hurricane beared down on his state on Oct. 9, 2024. (AP)
"I have my constitutional authority to wield in this process and I will continue to wield it as appropriate so that we're able to get the job done," he said, adding that he would fight like a "junkyard dog" to get his immigration policies enacted.
"You don't let go."
DeSantis wants Republicans to enact laws that would require state and local officials to comply with the new immigration orders issued by the White House and provide funding for them to do so. He has also called for legislation that would penalize state and local officials who violate Florida's "anti-sanctuary policies," WPTV reported.
The governor also directed lawmakers to consider additional hurricane aid, crack down on ballot initiative signature fraud and address rising HOA fees.
DESANTIS CITES ‘GULF OF AMERICA’ IN WINTER STORM ORDER AFTER TRUMP REBRANDING
Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 2025. (JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)
The Department of Homeland Security has also issued memos rescinding limits placed on ICE by the Biden administration, ordering a review of parole and expanding the use of expedited removal for recently-arrived illegal immigrants.
And Trump’s administration has moved to restore border wall construction and reinstate the Remain-in-Mexico policy, which requires migrants to stay in Mexico for the duration of their asylum cases.
These combined policies have resulted in a sharp 35% drop in illegal immigrant encounters at the southern border, multiple Department of Homeland Security sources told Fox News Digital.
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DeSantis rejected the concerns of the legislature, telling reporters Thursday, "we've been waiting years for this moment. It's not premature."
"We can't drag our feet. We can't wait for something to go into effect in July. We need something immediately and we need to get everything moving, and we need to do what we told the people that elected us that we would do."
Fox News Digital's Adam Shaw contributed to this report.
Chris Pandolfo is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital. Send tips to chris.pandolfo@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @ChrisCPandolfo.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/desantis-pushes-florida-lawmakers-take-action-illegal-immigration-warns-consequences-defiance