Gov. DeSantis bashes immigration bill passed by Florida lawmakers, promises to veto

During a roundtable event on Wednesday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis voiced his disapproval of the sweeping immigration bill that Florida lawmakers passed on Tuesday.

The bill dedicates half a billion dollars in public funds to help President Donald Trump’s push to crackdown on illegal immigration.

Part of that money would go toward a new state immigration enforcement office with over 140 employees. 

READ: Undocumented immigration bill has Florida's governor, agriculture commissioner and legislation at odds

Leading that office: the agriculture commissioner, causing DeSantis to question how agriculture and immigration oversight go hand-and-hand.

What they're saying:

"Agriculture has not exactly been known for immigration enforcement," DeSantis said, "so it's almost like the fox guarding the hen house. It was bizarre."

This part of the bill would give emergency immigration enforcement power to the new Chief Immigration Officer.

Also in the bill, a provision to repeal a decade-old Florida law that has helped around 6,500 students.

It would disqualify students from receiving in-state tuition if they are in the country illegally.

Gov. DeSantis promises to veto the bill:

What's next:

The governor held two roundtable discussions on Wednesday where he promised to veto the legislature's immigration bill. 

The Source: Information for this story was provided by the Governor's Press Office.

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