Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) is mobilizing State Guard other elements of the government to ward off an expected wave of Haitian migrants as the Caribbean nation descends further into chaos.
DeSantis posted to X Twitter on Wednesday about his move to protect Florida, “For quite some time, the State of Florida has been dedicating significant resources to combat illegal vessels coming to Florida from countries such as Haiti. Given the circumstances in Haiti, I have directed the Division of Emergency Management, the Florida State Guard, and state law enforcement agencies to deploy over 250 additional officers and soldiers and over a dozen air and sea craft to the southern coast of Florida to protect our state. No state has done more to supplement the (under-resourced) U.S. Coast Guard’s interdiction efforts; we cannot have illegal aliens coming to Florida.”
For quite some time, the State of Florida has been dedicating significant resources to combat illegal vessels coming to Florida from countries such as Haiti. Given the circumstances in Haiti, I have directed the Division of Emergency Management, the Florida State Guard, and state…
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) March 13, 2024
Statement issued Wednesday by the governor’s office:
Governor DeSantis Deploys Additional Personnel, Assets to Southern Florida and the Keys to Stop Potential Influx of Illegal Immigration from Haiti
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—In anticipation of a potential influx of illegal immigrants from Haiti, Governor Ron DeSantis has ordered additional state assets to the Keys and southern waters of the State of Florida.
“For quite some time, the State of Florida has been dedicating significant resources to combat illegal vessels coming to Florida from countries such as Haiti,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Given the circumstances in Haiti, I have directed the Division of Emergency Management, the Florida State Guard, and state law enforcement agencies to deploy over 250 additional officers and soldiers and over a dozen air and sea craft to the southern coast of Florida to protect our state. No state has done more to supplement the (under-resourced) U.S. Coast Guard’s interdiction efforts; we cannot have illegal aliens coming to Florida.”
Currently, state agencies have security and surveillance assets in South Florida and the Keys as a part of Operation Vigilant Sentry to stop illegal immigration at sea. The governor’s directive today will send additional personnel and assets from the following agencies:
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement: 39 additional officers.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: 23 additional officers with eight additional seacraft.
The Florida National Guard: 48 additional Guardsmen with four additional helicopters.
The Florida Highway Patrol: 30 additional officers with an additional aircraft and drones for surveillance.
Governor DeSantis will also today authorize a deployment of the Florida State Guard to the Keys to assist in the operation. This deployment includes up to 133 soldiers.
Illegal immigrants feel empowered to enter the sovereign territory of the United States because of the federal government’s refusal to diligently enforce our immigration laws and protect the integrity of the border. When a state faces the possibility of invasion, it has the right and duty to defend its territory and people. Under Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida will act.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) reiterated his call for the Biden administration to position the Navy to interdict the expected wave of Haitian migrants, “I don’t want southeast Florida to become Haiti. I am calling on Joe Biden to do the right thing and declare an anticipated state of mass migration over water. That way we could get naval vessels in the Florida straits to deter the thousands of incoming Haitians before they invade the United States.”
I don’t want southeast Florida to become Haiti.
I am calling on Joe Biden to do the right thing and declare an anticipated state of mass migration over water.
That way we could get naval vessels in the Florida straits to deter the thousands of incoming Haitians before they… pic.twitter.com/o0rd3sFaOY
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) March 14, 2024
Florida’s Voice reported Haitian born Florida state Representative Berny Jaques (R) supports the action by DeSantis.
Haitian-born Florida lawmaker @BernyJacques on DeSantis plan to repel potential influx from Haiti: “Florida will do everything in its power to protect our border and our citizens here and abroad.” https://t.co/uLS6BONyca
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) March 14, 2024
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