Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has accused the federal government of running an illegal program to “secretly” drop off illegal immigrants in states across the United States.
According to DeSantis, this program is responsible for bringing in a number of individuals who do not have the legal right to be in the country in the first place, and it has led to a concerning incident where a man flown in by the program ended up being charged for sexual assault against a developmentally disabled 14-year-old girl in Massachusetts.
During a press conference on Wednesday, DeSantis expressed his concerns about the program, stating that it was “illegal” and violated the rights of both citizens and immigrants. He argued that the federal government is bringing in individuals from foreign countries without following proper legal procedures, which is not only unethical but also potentially dangerous. DeSantis also criticized the secrecy surrounding the program, stating that the federal government is not sharing any information with state or local officials about when and where they are flying in these undocumented immigrants.
One of the main points of contention for DeSantis is the lack of transparency surrounding the program. He claimed that he was not even aware of the number of individuals being flown into the state of Florida, as the federal government has not shared this information with him or his team. However, he did acknowledge that Miami may be a hotbed for these arrivals, as recent reports have suggested that it is the city receiving the most illegal immigrants through the program. DeSantis also noted that this could be attributed to the fact that Miami does not have a sanctuary policy in place, and therefore may be seen as a safer option by those seeking refuge in the United States.
TODAY👇👀 @GovRonDeSantis rips Biden's secretive migrant flights: "ILLEGAL & NOT CONSTITUTIONAL"
"They don't tell us anytime somebody comes in... We have not seen large numbers in our communities... it may be the case [Biden] is bringing people in under this illegal parole… pic.twitter.com/HpnsAEhDQ2
— Christina Pushaw 🐊 🇺🇸 (@ChristinaPushaw) April 3, 2024
In response to the allegations made by DeSantis, a White House official defended the program, saying that it was part of a broader effort to restructure immigration procedures that had been dismantled under the previous administration. The official also stated that the program is necessary to handle the influx of migrants currently trying to enter the United States and that the federal government would continue to implement measures in accordance with U.S. law and its humanitarian obligations.
However, DeSantis is not convinced and has taken legal action to stop the program, which he says has been operating illegally for some time. He further stressed that the state of Florida does not have a sanctuary city policy and that its regulations are designed to discourage undocumented immigrants from seeking refuge in the state. DeSantis also spoke about his disappointment in the federal government for not coordinating with state officials, and for not following established procedures and protocols when it comes to dealing with undocumented individuals.
Many have also expressed concern about the potential for these individuals to end up in sanctuary cities, which could make tracking them down and enforcing federal immigration laws more difficult. However, the program remains largely shrouded in secrecy and a lack of information makes it difficult to determine how many migrants have been flown into cities like Miami, and where they ultimately end up.
In March, Governor DeSantis filed a lawsuit challenging the federal government’s parole program, arguing that it circumvents the immigration system and perpetuates illegal activities. During the press conference, he noted that this has been an ongoing issue and that they have been successful in court in the past. He expressed hope that they would be able to shut the program down once and for all and prevent illegal immigration by working within the boundaries of the constitution and establishing U.S. laws.
In the meantime, DeSantis continues to push for more transparency from the federal government, urging officials to share information about how many individuals are being flown into Florida and from where. He also reiterated his commitment to protecting the state from illegal immigration, stating that their officials will continue to work hard to prevent undocumented individuals from entering and staying in Florida. Whether the governor will be successful in his fight against the parole program remains to be seen, but it is clear that this is a contentious issue with significant implications for both the state and the nation as a whole.