Florida lawmakers pass TRUMP Act bill to help with immigration crackdown
Gov. DeSantis vs. agriculture commissioner Wilton Simpson
Governor Ron DeSantis and agriculture commissioner Wilton Simpson are currently in a rivalry for the "Chief Immigration Officer" position after the Florida Legislature shot down DeSantis's special session and introduced their own bill the TRUMP Act. FOX 35's Randi Hildreth has the latest.
ORLANDO, Fla. - The Florida Legislature passed a sweeping immigration bill Tuesday night, transferring key responsibilities from the governor to the agriculture commissioner in regard to immigration enforcement.
The bill, passed during a special legislative session on immigration, designates Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson as the state’s immigration czar, making him the primary liaison for federal, state, and local authorities. This shift removes oversight from the governor’s office, a change Republican lawmakers say will allow for greater focus on the issue.
RELATED: Who is Wilton Simpson? The Florida Legislature against DeSantis's immigration bill
The TRUMP Act: What is it?
What we know:
Nicknamed the TRUMP Act, the legislation was amended to include several provisions, allegedly suggested by the Trump administration, according to House speaker Daniel Perez and Senate president Ben Albritton.
The bill:
- Increases penalties for crimes committed by undocumented immigrants, including requiring the death penalty for those convicted of capital offenses.
- Mandates law enforcement participation in immigration detention efforts, offering bonuses to officers assisting in raids.
- Eliminates in-state tuition waivers for undocumented students, even for those currently enrolled in Florida colleges and universities.
The bill allocates over $500 million for immigration enforcement efforts, but Gov. Ron DeSantis criticized the measure, calling it "weak" and saying it fails to meet the demands of Trump’s broader immigration agenda.
What we don't know:
With strong Republican support in the Legislature, the bill now heads to Gov. DeSantis, though it remains unclear whether he will sign or veto the measure.
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The Source: The information in this article comes from previous reporting and the AP.