Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis shakes hands with lawmakers as he enters the House chamber to address a joint session on the opening day of the 2025 legislative session, Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at the state capitol in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
And the governor touted that "no state has done more, and no state did it sooner than we did in Florida."
Florida’s new measures stiffen immigration enforcement by state and local law enforcement.
‘THANK YOU RON’ - TRUMP PRAISES DESANTIS IMMIGRATION PUSH IN FLORIDA
"Thanks to the recent legislation, it is now a crime to enter Florida illegally, the days of catch and release are over, and all state and local law enforcement have a duty to assist in interior immigration enforcement efforts," the governor emphasized.
The Florida State Capitol Building, as seen in Tallahassee, Florida. (Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images)
The governor signed the immigration bills into law last month after a compromise with the Republican leaders of the legislature was brokered, which brought to an end a weekslong standoff over dueling bills.
DeSantis called the original special legislative session, but lawmakers quickly gaveled out and then held a separate special session, where they passed their own immigration bills, which the governor criticized.
DeSantis, reflecting Tuesday on the standoff with lawmakers, said "we got there. It wasn’t necessarily a straight shot, but we got there."
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The governor, who waged a bitter and unsuccessful primary challenge against Trump for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, was praised by the then-president-elect in January for calling the special session.
"Thank you Ron, hopefully other governors will follow!" Trump wrote in a social media post after DeSantis announced the special session.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/desantis-takes-victory-lap-floridas-momentous-immigration-legislation-enforcing-trump-agenda