Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill hiking penalties for illegal alien drivers, sending a message that there are much more welcoming states for President Joe Biden’s “newcomers” to settle in than the one that he runs.
The former GOP presidential candidate has taken a hard line on the migrants, who continue to swarm over the porous border by the thousands, and the three bills that the governor signed into law will be valuable tools when it comes to cracking down on illegal immigration in the Sunshine State.
“The federal government has failed in its responsibility to secure our southern border, leaving states to fend for themselves,” DeSantis said in a statement. “In Florida, we do not tolerate illegal immigration, let alone lawlessness committed by illegal aliens who shouldn’t be here in the first place. The bills I signed today further enhance Florida’s capabilities to uphold the law.”
The Republican leader held a news conference on Friday morning in Winter Haven where he was joined by law enforcement personnel including no-nonsense Sheriff Grady Judd of Polk County, posting a video to X, previously known as Twitter.
In Florida, we don’t allow illegal aliens to get drivers licenses and we won’t recognize drivers licenses that sanctuary jurisdictions give to illegal aliens. By increasing the penalties for driving without a valid license, the law I signed today is another tool to help law… pic.twitter.com/NEIZxTbsU7
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) March 15, 2024
“In Florida, we don’t allow illegal aliens to get drivers licenses and we won’t recognize drivers licenses that sanctuary jurisdictions give to illegal aliens. By increasing the penalties for driving without a valid license, the law I signed today is another tool to help law enforcement keep Floridians safe from the impacts of the border crisis,” DeSantis wrote.
“Last year, I signed the toughest anti-illegal immigration legislation in the country. Today, I signed three more bills to build on the work we have done to protect Floridians from the impacts of the border crisis,” the governor added in another post.
Last year, I signed the toughest anti-illegal immigration legislation in the country. Today, I signed three more bills to build on the work we have done to protect Floridians from the impacts of the border crisis. pic.twitter.com/oZHpYvyzFR
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) March 15, 2024
The legislation increased the maximum penalty for those convicted of driving without a license more than two times from 60 days in jail to one year, the law also applies to U.S. citizens.
Another of the bills signed into law by DeSantis “prevents counties and municipalities from accepting ID cards issued to illegal aliens by other jurisdictions. Florida already prohibits local jurisdictions from issuing IDs or driver licenses to illegal immigrants,” the governor’s office said.
“Under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida has provided a blueprint for other states to protect their citizens against illegal immigration,” Florida Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez said. “Our administration will not stand on the sidelines and watch as the Biden Border Crisis continues to spiral out of control. I’m proud to serve alongside Governor DeSantis as we take action to protect Floridians in every corner of our state.”
Judd noted that many of today’s illegals “are coming here not just to find a better way of life like many of our forefathers did, but they are coming here to kill our people while they make enormous profits,” referring to the deadly fentanyl crisis.
The third bill “enhances penalties for a crime committed by an individual who returns to the country illegally after an initial deportation.”
DeSantis has been an outspoken critic of the Biden administration and its policies, particularly on illegal immigration.
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Chris Donaldson is an ordinary American who is concerned about rampant corruption as well as the ongoing attacks on our way of life by those who have contempt for our hard-earned freedoms. A Navy veteran, he has been a frequent contributor to conservative websites and resides in Florida.
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