Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has taken a hardline stance on illegal immigration with his latest move to deploy law enforcement officers and soldiers to the Florida Keys.
In light of the escalating violence in Haiti, Governor DeSantis has ordered the deployment of over 250 law enforcement officers and soldiers to the Florida Keys.
“Given the situation that’s happening in Haiti, some brutal reports that are happening, we want to make sure that we’re protecting Floridians,” DeSantis said Friday.
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The governor’s office cited the “potential for invasion” as the reason for this action. The additional personnel, along with aircraft and boats, are intended to prevent Haitian migrants from reaching Florida’s shores.
DeSantis said Friday that state law enforcement intercepted a boat of possible illegal Haitian immigrants with weapons and narcotics.
“Our Florida Fish and Wildlife officers interdicted a vessel that had 25 illegal immigrants, potential illegal immigrants, from Haiti. In their boat, in their vessel, they had firearms, they had drugs, they had night vision gear, and they were boating very recklessly, which would potentially endanger other folks,” DeSantis said.
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Since October 1, the U.S. Coast Guard has repatriated 131 migrants found at sea to Haiti. This includes 65 individuals who were discovered on a boat near the Bahamas last week.
However, a possible flood of migrants from Haiti is expected.
Humanitarian Crisis in Haiti
The situation in Haiti is dire, with the United Nations food agency reporting that 4 million people face “acute food insecurity,” and 1 million are on the brink of famine.
The country’s political instability and gang violence have exacerbated an already challenging situation for the Haitian population.
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International Efforts to Address the Crisis
In response to the escalating violence and instability in Haiti, a group of Caribbean nations and the United States has proposed the creation of a presidential council.
This council would consist of influential figures who would elect an interim prime minister and prepare for presidential elections. However, some Haitian political parties have rejected this plan, further complicating efforts to resolve the crisis.
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.”
Read: What Happened In Haiti That Prompted Gov. DeSantis To Deploy Florida National Guard?
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 also authorized the deployment of the Florida State Guard to the Keys today to assist in the operation. This deployment includes up to 133 soldiers.
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