TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Within one hour of the Florida Legislature passing a new immigration enforcement bill, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law, creating a state board for immigration enforcement and imposing stricter penalties on undocumented immigrants.
The legislation passed easily in both chambers. The main bill, sponsored by long-time Trump ally state Sen. Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota), received a 27-10 vote in the Senate and was then approved by the House with an 85-30 tally.
The bill’s passage will expedite the deportation of undocumented immigrants, and create a State Board of Immigration Enforcement, which will be chaired by the governor, the agriculture commissioner, the attorney general, and the state chief financial officer.
This signing followed a period of tension among DeSantis and GOP lawmakers about supporting President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. DeSantis remarked, “I have no hard feelings at all. These are not easy issues… We brought it all together, and we’re better off for it.”
In total, three measures were enacted—two bills and a memorial—that give the new board the authority to distribute $250 million in grants to local law enforcement agencies working with federal officials on immigration enforcement.
“Going forward, Florida Senate President Ben Albritton said
