This week, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that state and local law enforcement officers have committed to deploying to Texas and Arizona to provide additional resources in response to the border crisis.
“America’s border security crisis impacts every state and every American,” said DeSantis on Wednesday. “The Biden Administration ended policies implemented by President Trump that were curbing illegal immigration, securing our border, and keeping Americans safe. Governors Abbott and Ducey recently sent out a call for help to every state in the nation, needing additional law enforcement manpower and other resources to aid with border security. I’m proud to announce today that the state of Florida is answering the call. Florida has your back.”
“As attorney general, I am dedicated to ending human trafficking, protecting our children from sexual predators, and fighting the opioid crisis now claiming 21 lives a day in our state, but President Biden is hurting, not helping us achieve these vital public safety goals,” said state Attorney General Ashley Moody. “The crisis the President created at our southern border makes all of us less safe, and I am proud to stand with Governor DeSantis as he tries to fix the president’s disaster at the border to protect Floridians.”
The move comes following a letter late last week from Govs Greg Abbott, R-Texas, and Doug Ducey, R-Ariz., requesting immediate assistance to secure the border.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, last month there were more than 180,000 illegal immigrants caught attempting entry along the Southwest Border.
The following sheriff’s offices and state law enforcement agencies have already committed to sending aid:
The Florida Highway Patrol
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Brevard County Sheriff’s Office
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Holmes County Sheriff’s Office
Lee County Sheriff’s Office
Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office
Pasco County Sheriff’s Office
Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office
Walton County Sheriff’s Office
The Florida Division of Emergency Management is coordinating this deployment of the law enforcement officers under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). The Emergency Management Assistance Compact is a national mutual aid system that allows states to share resources from all disciplines, protect personnel who deploy, and be reimbursed for mission related costs.
