Gov. Ron DeSantis has called a special legislative session to advance his immigration agenda in Florida, which is closely aligned with President Donald Trump’s policies.
However, he faces a rare standoff with Republican leaders. Although they support Trump’s agenda, Florida’s Senate president and House speaker have described today’s emergency session as “completely irresponsible” and “premature.”
Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, and other critics called the proposals extreme and harmful. Smith said he hopes legislative leadership, with its GOP supermajority, will stand firm against the call.
DeSantis’ immigration agenda
“Simply to gavel in and gavel out, adjourn immediately, and meet the constitutional requirement to just be present, because these issues deserve attention,” Guillermo Smith urged. “But they also deserve the time and scrutiny, and the process.”
DeSantis has released a pared-back agenda that includes appointing a state immigration enforcement officer to work with the federal government, and allowing the transport of undocumented migrants out of the U.S.
But he removed an initial proposal to criminalize local police and officials for not fully cooperating with immigration directives.
Smith also voiced concern about Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in schools. He pointed out Orange County school officials recently shared information with families on how to handle new federal immigration directives.
“Even the idea of ICE agents, assisted by local law enforcement, showing up to our public schools and potentially interviewing and detaining students without parental notification is a scary thing that, unfortunately, may be a reality as a result of these extreme policies,” Smith emphasized.
Smith added Floridians should stay vigilant and he thinks many would oppose the policies. This session marks a critical test of DeSantis’ influence and the Legislature’s willingness to scrutinize his agenda.
