TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – State lawmakers are set to gather for a special legislative session called by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday.
The session, which focuses on immigration reform and other policy priorities, comes after Republicans filed several bills addressing illegal immigration over the weekend.
Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, Sen. Jonathan Martin, R-Fort Myers, and Sen. Jay Collins, R-Tampa, had filed 11 bills as of late Sunday afternoon, according to the Senate website. Rep. Mike Caruso, R-Delray Beach, and Rep. John Temple, R-Wildwood, had filed House versions that largely mirrored the Senate bills.
Governor DeSantis called for this session earlier this month, aiming to support former President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.
The proposed legislation targets various aspects of immigration policy, including the role of law enforcement and access to education for undocumented students.
One proposed bill would eliminate in-state tuition for undocumented students, often referred to as “Dreamers.”
Another would require state and local law enforcement to cooperate more closely with federal immigration officials. Additional measures include changes to the petition process for proposed constitutional amendments.
Ahead of the session, Governor DeSantis held a press conference last week at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office headquarters. He emphasized the need for stronger immigration laws, focusing on law enforcement’s role in assisting federal authorities.
Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters, who joined the governor at the press conference, expressed his support for the proposed measures.
“I know that what needs to get done is going to be done,” Waters said. ”We have the issue to back up what we’re talking about. It’s not an issue that’s just reserved for the southern border.”
The Senate and House are scheduled to convene at 10:30 a.m. News4Jax will provide updates as the session progresses.
Among the proposals:
-
Martin and Temple filed bills (SB 20-A and HB 19A) that would repeal a 2014 law that allows undocumented immigrant students to avoid higher out-of-state tuition rates if they meet certain criteria. Albritton has suggested phasing out the law, taking into account students who already receive the tuition benefit or who are making plans to attend colleges or universities at cheaper in-state rates.
-
Ingoglia and Caruso filed bills (SB 4-A and HB 9A) that say law enforcement agencies in the state “shall” support enforcement of federal immigration laws. Currently, a state law says agencies shall “use best efforts” to support such enforcement. Also, under the bills, when counties receive notice that jail inmates have immigration detainers, they would be required to transport the inmates to federal facilities or to federal officials.
-
Ingoglia and Caruso filed bills (SB 14-A and HB 11A) that would require state and county law enforcement agencies and other police agencies with more than 25 officers to enter agreements with U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement to participate in a program that authorizes local officers to perform certain duties of federal immigration agents. The bills also would give the governor authority to suspend the head of a law-enforcement agency “who, in the judgment of the governor, acts in bad faith and fails to comply with any provision” of the bill.
-
Collins and Caruso filed bills (SB 18-A and HB 21A) that would overhaul the ballot initiative process, including what appears to be the elimination of the use of paid petition gatherers to collect signatures. Voters could request petition forms to be mailed to them by supervisors of elections; they could then mail back signed petitions. The proposals come after DeSantis led efforts to defeat ballot proposals in November that would have enshrined abortion rights in the state Constitution and allowed recreational use of marijuana.
Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.
Related Post
