Florida Leads Nation: State Troopers Gain Power to Detain Undocumented Immigrants

In a significant policy shift, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) will now have the authority to enforce immigration laws independently of federal agencies. This move positions Florida as the first state to empower its state troopers with such authority.

During a press conference in Tampa on May 12, Governor DeSantis revealed that over 100 FHP troopers have been sworn in as Special Deputy U.S. Marshals. This designation grants them the power to execute federal warrants and detain individuals suspected of immigration violations without relying on federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

Previously, FHP troopers encountering undocumented individuals had limited options, often needing to wait for ICE to take action. With this new authority, troopers can now act immediately, a change DeSantis believes will enhance public safety.

Governor DeSantis emphasised Florida’s leadership in immigration enforcement, stating, “Florida has led the nation on immigration enforcement, and we’re ready to do even more.” He also mentioned that Florida has submitted a plan to the federal government to contribute new detention facilities and expanded apprehension efforts.

This initiative is part of a broader effort by the DeSantis administration to take a more active role in immigration enforcement. In recent months, Florida has increased its cooperation with federal agencies, leading to large-scale operations targeting undocumented individuals with criminal records.

However, the move has not been without controversy. Critics argue that granting state troopers federal immigration enforcement powers could lead to civil rights violations and racial profiling. Concerns have also been raised about the potential for wrongful detentions, as seen in the case of Juan Carlos Lopez-Gomez, a U.S. citizen who was mistakenly detained under suspicion of being an unauthorised immigrant.

Despite these concerns, Governor DeSantis remains steadfast in his commitment to strict immigration enforcement, urging other states to follow Florida’s lead. “We’re leading; I think others need to do more,” he said.