DeSantis signed tougher immigration laws for Florida, including the death penalty

Governor DeSantis signed tougher immigration laws for Florida, including the death penalty
The state of Florida has passed a stricter set of immigration laws, including the death penalty for undocumented immigrants convicted of serious crimes such as first-degree murder and child rape. As reported by the 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 sparked intense debate and criticism from civil rights groups and Democratic lawmakers, who warn of potential constitutional violations.

According to AP, the laws include an investment of approximately $298 million aimed at strengthening the enforcement of immigration 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, reimbursement of costs derived from the use of detention facilities is contemplated.

The legislative package is part of a broader strategy by Republicans to reinforce the immigration policies of President Donald Trump, who has supported similar measures in other states. With these laws, Florida is positioned at the forefront of territories seeking to toughen legislation against illegal immigration, aligning its local resources with federal strategies on 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 the AP, Governor DeSantis had a prolonged disagreement with Republican leaders in the state, who initially presented more moderate proposals that were rejected by the president. DeSantis considered the original initiatives insufficient and a “betrayal” of conservative voters.

Republican Senator Joe Gruters, a Trump 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 this is all about,” Gruters said, according to the AP.

Tensions between DeSantis and Trump’s most loyal sectors have been evident in other areas of state and national politics. While some Republicans view the Florida governor as a possible presidential contender in 2028, his differences with the Trump 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 criminalizes re-entry into Florida by people who have entered the United States illegally and toughens penalties for any violations committed by noncitizens.

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

Another significant reform within the legislative package is the elimination of access to in-state tuition for undocumented students at public universities. The repeal of this policy has been harshly criticized, as 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 immigration restrictions
Florida is not the only state that has toughened its stance on illegal immigration. According to the 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 passed a bill requiring DNA collection from detained immigrants, prohibiting the recognition of driver’s licenses issued in other states without proof of citizenship, and criminalizing the transportation of undocumented people. In Georgia, the legislature approved a rule that allows local governments to be sued that do not cooperate with immigration authorities.

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

Reactions and concern in immigrant communities
The new laws have raised concerns among immigrant communities and their advocates, who fear these measures will encourage discrimination and racial profiling.

In Alabama, Jasmín Hernández Alamillo, the daughter of Mexican immigrants and recent graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, expressed concern about the impact these policies will have on vulnerable communities. “I don’t want to be part of a state that perpetuates this negative sentiment toward marginalized communities,” he declared, according to the AP.

Civil rights organizations have warned that the provisions passed in Florida and other southern states could lead to arbitrary arrests and abuses by law enforcement. Some critics have pointed out that these laws are part of a political strategy by Republicans to consolidate the support of their voter base ahead of the 2024 presidential elections.

A general tightening of immigration policies in the southern United States
With the approval of these laws, Florida, Alabama and Georgia consolidate themselves as the states with the strictest 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 about 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, the constitutionality of some provisions, especially the death penalty for certain crimes committed by undocumented immigrants, is expected to be challenged in courts in the coming months.