Desantis signed harder migratory laws for Florida, including the death penalty

Governor Desantis signed harder migratory laws for Florida, including the death penalty
The state of Florida has approved a set of stricter immigration laws, which include the death penalty for undocumented immigrants convicted of serious crimes such as first degree murder and child violation. According to AP, Governor Ron Desantis signed the new provisions this Thursday, consolidating Florida as one of the states with the most severe immigration policies in the United States. The legislation has caused an intense debate and criticism by civil rights defenders and Democratic legislators, who warn about possible constitutional violations.

According to AP, the laws include an investment of approximately 298 million dollars aimed at strengthening the application of migratory regulations. This budget will allow the hiring of more than 50 security agents dedicated exclusively to the supervision of immigrants, as well as the purchase of new equipment, training and bonuses for those who collaborate with federal authorities. In addition, the reimbursement of the costs derived from the use of detention facilities is contemplated.

The legislative package is part of a broader strategy of the Republicans to reinforce the migratory policies of President Donald Trump, who has supported similar measures in other states. With these laws, Florida is positioned at the forefront of the territories that seek to harden the legislation against illegal immigration, aligning their local resources with federal strategies in the field of border security.

Internal conflict between Republicans and Governor Desantis

The legislative process that led to the signing of these laws was marked by divisions within the Republican Party itself. According to AP, Governor Desantis maintained a prolonged disagreement with Republican leaders in the state, who initially presented more moderate proposals that were rejected by the president. Desantis considered that the original initiatives were insufficient and a “betrayal” to conservative voters.

Republican senator Joe Gruters, Trump’s ally and key sponsor of the legislative package, admitted that the process left “wounds” among those involved, but assured that the approval of the laws represents a victory for the president. “Ultimately, this is a victory for Donald Trump. Because that’s what all this is about,” said Gruters, AP said.

The tensions between desantis and the most loyal sectors to Trump have been evident in other areas of state and national policy. While some Republicans see the governor of Florida as a possible presidential contender in 2028, their differences with the Trumpist base have generated friction within the party.

Additional measures and constitutional questions
In addition to the death penalty for certain crimes committed by undocumented immigrants, the new legislation typifies as a crime the re -entry to Florida of people who have illegally entered the United States and hardens penalties for any infraction committed by non -citizens.

However, the most controversial measure has been the application of capital punishment, which according to legal experts and human rights organizations could be unconstitutional. AP reported that opponents of the law have cited precedents of the United States Supreme Court to argue that this provision could be challenged in court.

Another significant reform within the legislative package is the elimination of access to state registrations for undocumented students in public universities. The revocation of this policy has been harshly criticized, since it affects young people who have grown up and studied in Florida, many of them beneficiaries of programs such as DACA.

Other southern states reinforce migratory restrictions
Florida is not the only state that has hardened its position against illegal immigration. According to AP, legislators in Alabama and Georgia have approved similar measures that seek to strengthen cooperation with the federal government in the detention and deportation of immigrants.

In Alabama, the State Senate approved a bill that requires the collection of DNA of detained immigrants, prohibits the recognition of driving licenses issued in other states without citizenship proof and criminalizes the transport of undocumented persons. In Georgia, the legislature approved a rule that allows local governments to be sued with immigration authorities.

The hardening of laws in these states has been promoted in part by recent cases of violent crimes attributed to undocumented immigrants. In Georgia, legislation approved last year was motivated by the murder of a university student, allegedly at the hands of a Venezuelan immigrant who had illegally entered the country.

Reactions and concern in imigrant communities
The new laws have generated concern between immigrant communities and their defenders, who fear that these measures will promote discrimination and racial profile.

In Alabama, Jasmín Hernández Alamillo, daughter of Mexican immigrants and newly graduated from the University of Alabama in Birmingham, expressed concern about the impact that these policies will have on vulnerable communities. “I don’t want to be part of a state that perpetuates this negative feeling towards marginalized communities,” he said, according to AP.

Civil rights organizations have warned that the provisions approved in Florida and other southern states could lead to arbitrary detentions and abuse by order forces. Some critics have pointed out that these laws are part of a political strategy of Republicans to consolidate the support of their voter base for the 2024 presidential elections.

A generalized hardening of immigration policies in southern US
With the approval of these laws, Florida, Alabama and Georgia are consolidated as states with stricter immigration policies in the United States. The trend points to greater collaboration between state governments and federal authorities, which could lead to an increase in arrests and deportations in the coming months.

The debate on the legality and implications of these measures remains open. While Republicans defend these laws as a necessary response to combat illegal immigration, opponents warn that they could violate fundamental rights and affect thousands of families. According to AP, it is expected that the constitutionality of some provisions, especially the death penalty for certain crimes committed by undocumented immigrants, will be challenged in courts in the coming months