Tag Archives: Haiti

Governor DeSantis Deploys Additional Personnel, Assets to Southern Florida and the Keys to Stop Potential Influx of Illegal Immigration from Haiti

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From the press office of Governor Ron DeSantis:

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—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.”

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 will also today authorize a deployment of the Florida State Guard to the Keys to assist in the operation. This deployment includes up to 133 soldiers.

Illegal immigrants feel empowered to enter the sovereign territory of the United States because of the federal government’s refusal to diligently enforce our immigration laws and protect the integrity of the border. When a state faces the possibility of invasion, it has the right and duty to defend its territory and people. Under Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida will act.

Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Executive Order and Activates National Guard to Provide Support as Biden Administration Ignores Alarming Influx of Migrants to Florida Keys

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Governor Ron DeSantis responded to the growing illegal immigrant crisis in South Florida by declaring a state of emergency on Friday. Last week, migrants began arriving in Florida from Cuba and Haiti. Some were rescued by passing cruise ships while others landed on Dry Tortugas National Park near Key West. Hundreds of these illegal immigrants were brought to an immigration processing station in Dania Beach.

Sensing a lackluster response from the Biden Administration, DeSantis issued an executive order which hopefully keeps the situation from becoming Mariel 2.0. The order activates the national guard and directs state agencies to assist local governments impacted by the landings.

“As the negative impacts of Biden’s lawless immigration policies continue unabated, the burden of the Biden administration’s failure falls on local law enforcement who lack the resources to deal with the crisis,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “That is why I am activating the National Guard and directing state resources to help alleviate the strain on local resources. When Biden continues to ignore his legal responsibilities, we will step in to support our communities.”

According to the Governor’s office, since August 2022, federal, state and local law enforcement have encountered more than 8,000 migrants in waters off the coast of Florida.