Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is taking significant steps in response to the situation in Haiti and Haitian migrants. He is proposing a special legislative session to enact legislation akin to Texas' SB4, allowing local law enforcement to deport and state judges to order deportations, at a cost of $12,800 a day. This proposal has been met with criticism, with opponents calling it a civil rights nightmare and unnecessary given the Coast Guard's report of no increase in Haitians coming to Florida. Concurrently, DeSantis has coordinated the evacuation of more than 80 U.S. citizens, including 14 Floridians, from Haiti amid the country's ongoing unrest. These actions have garnered support from figures like Florida's Lieutenant Governor, who commends DeSantis for undertaking efforts they believe the federal government has neglected. Additionally, the relaunch of Haiti-Miami flights by Sunrise Airways provides a new avenue for those seeking to escape the violence in Haiti.
"[Ron DeSantis] continues to do the work that the federal government refuses to do, and we're excited for those families that are coming home." — Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez on the evacuation of Americans stranded in Haiti https://t.co/wMEeyZBnH0
Haitians, others finally have way to escape violence: Airline relaunches Haiti-MIA flights https://t.co/9OVGVFVzF5 by @Jacquiecharles
Haitians, others finally have way to escape violence: Airline relaunches Haiti-MIA flights https://t.co/Sd5seDqEbe
Flight carrying rescued Americans from war-torn Haiti safely lands in Florida https://t.co/dd96dR17QR
Sunrise Airways relaunches Haiti-Miami flight amid violence | Miami Herald https://t.co/qxgD7UlE3Y
Florida State Senator @ShevrinJones says: “this is a time to recognize that Haitians need our help.” Respectfully - no. This is a time Floridians need our help to repel a Haitian invasion of our state. Bravo @GovRonDeSantis for leading on this issue.…
DeSantis wants a special legislative session, which can cost $12,800 a day in public dollars, to pass a Florida copycat of Texas SB4, a law allowing local police to carry out deportations and state judges to order deportations. A civil rights nightmare. https://t.co/y1CoOuaJ24
Rep. @CoryMillsFL rescues more Americans from Haiti “Our team has now successfully rescued and evacuated more Americans than Biden and his entire administration." https://t.co/K1zlbaoFg5
Florida Lt. Gov.: DeSantis doing Biden's job in evacuating Americans stranded in Haiti https://t.co/JbhzVpybCe
🚨 Immediate action required! Governor Ron DeSantis is proposing a Special Session of the Florida Legislature to seek DANGEROUS legislation like Texas’ SB4. https://t.co/TJS3mPz6jZ
DeSantis talks about giving Florida cops the power to arrest migrants https://t.co/vgC4FlXSha https://t.co/nkVP7aiawT
DeSantis doing Biden's job in evacuating Americans stranded in Haiti, Florida Lt. Gov. says https://t.co/JbhzVpybCe
Several dozen Americans have been evacuated from Haiti on Friday, March 22 as the security situation in the country continues to deteriorate. https://t.co/p1YtLq8Bg9
McClatchy reporter: “Today, @GovRonDeSantis said that he's also looking at implementing also like Texas that would allow Florida to arrest migrants as soon as they cross the Florida border. Are you concerned that other governors will be looking into kind of stricter immigration… https://t.co/u8ZlYDRSzv
NEW: DeSantis says Florida may soon follow Texas and craft legislation that would authorizes police to arrest people suspected of illegally entering the state. He is eyeing a special session for this, but GOP leaders say he has enough authority already. https://t.co/yUeW6BlxIv
Rescue effort coordinated by DeSantis results in 14 Floridians safely returned to U.S. from Haiti https://t.co/dd96dR17QR
A government-chartered flight carrying more than 80 U.S. citizens landed in Miami from Haiti after earlier delays due to the country’s ongoing unrest. https://t.co/Dj9Hz4uIVH
DeSantis is suggesting a Florida version of Texas’ SB4, a law that makes allows local law enforcement to carry out deportations and empowers state judges to order deportations. This is a civil rights nightmare for obvious reasons. https://t.co/csB5YLuLYw
Coast Guard says it hasn’t seen increase in Haitians coming. It doesn’t stop DeSantis from dumb grandstanding & proposing to waste more public dollars in another anti-immigrant special session. We should be opening ways for them to seek refuge as situation in Haiti deteriorates. https://t.co/hmIOuRbyXc
WATCH: FL GOP flips local seats, DeSantis signs anti-homeless camp bill, more Americans rescued from Haiti https://t.co/h7Vu2PThvM
.@GovRonDeSantis eyes Special Session to crack down on Haitian migrants. Legislative product could take cues from Texas law currently held up in court. Reporting by @AGGancarski https://t.co/Vz2Eh4sEYX #FlaPol