Immigrants

Gov. Ron DeSantis rebuked some of Florida’s top law enforcement officials Thursday, criticizing their calls to Congress and President Donald Trump to work on a path to citizenship for some undocumented immigrants. “This idea that unless you’re an axe murderer you should be able to stay, that is not consistent with our laws, and it’s also not good policy,” DeSantis said at an event in Bradenton.

A group of sheriffs on a state immigration enforcement board sharply criticized the federal government’s mass deportation efforts Monday, a stark departure from hardline policies in Florida, where Gov. Ron DeSantis has spearheaded collaboration with federal officials to remove all undocumented immigrants.

Florida initially sought $1.4 billion from the feds for Alligator Alcatraz.

Border czar Tom Homan says the immigration crackdown in Minnesota that led to mass detentions, protests and two deaths is coming to an end. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement launched Operation Metro Surge on Dec. 1. Federal authorities say the sweeps focused on the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area have led to the arrest of more than 4,000 people. While the Trump administration has called those arrested "dangerous criminal illegal aliens," many people with no criminal records, including children and U.S. citizens, have also been detained. According to a new AP-NORC poll, about 6 in 10 U.S. adults say President Donald Trump has "gone too far" in sending federal immigration agents into U.S. cities.

As the federal government continues its efforts against illegal immigration, The U.S. Department of Homeland Security reports that nearly 1.9 million people have agreed to self-deport this past year.

An article in the Feb. 10 edition of WIRED magazine says U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement plans to lease offices throughout the US as part of a secret, monthslong expansion campaign.

A bill that would make it harder for undocumented immigrants to obtain certain licenses and financial assistance advanced in the Florida House on Tuesday. The measure (HB 1307) would prohibit “unauthorized aliens” from getting any licenses the state Department of Financial Services issues, such as those related to insurance. It also would give the Division of Risk Management discretion to deny illegal immigrants’ claims, require all testing for commercial driver’s licenses to be conducted only in English and make undocumented immigrants ineligible to receive workers’ compensation.

The Lee County Courthouse was the home for a legal showdown between The Immigration Detention Center known as Alligator Alcatraz and several former detainees.

Florida lawmakers will be back for the legislative session. Many major topics including property taxes, school vouchers and exploring changes to Florida’s congressional maps will be discussed.

Public encouraged to come to a forum on where things stand and what may come for immigrants in America.