Renzo Downey
Gov. Ron DeSantis took his criticisms of President Joe Biden‘s immigration policies to Miami Monday, highlighting another angle of the Governor’s stand against the federal government.
During a roundtable discussion at the American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora, DeSantis contrasted the Biden administration’s policies on illegal immigration against the immigration trends that have fueled South Florida’s mixed culture. DeSantis called the current situation “effectively the largest human smuggling operation in American history” that began with an immigration “explosion” after Biden took office.
Drug cartels have also taken advantage, driving fentanyl overdoses and the use of methamphetamines, the Governor said.
“This is the golden age for the cartels, since Biden became President,” DeSantis said. “They are eating our lunch every single day, with what’s going on down there.”
The Governor also lambasted comparisons between current immigration patterns and Operation Pedro Pan in the early 1960s, when unaccompanied Cuban minors arrived in the United States to flee the communist regime.
“To equate what’s going on with the southern border — with mass trafficking of humans, illegal entry, drugs, all this other stuff — with Operation Pedro Pan, quite frankly, is disgusting,” DeSantis said. “It’s wrong. It is not even close to the same thing.”
The media availability comes during legislative crunch time for DeSantis’ immigration efforts.
The Legislature is nearly the midpoint of its 60-day Session. Lawmakers have started considering DeSantis’ proposal to prevent state and local governments from doing business with transportation companies that relocate to Florida immigrants who have unlawfully entered the country.
DeSantis questioned why the federal government is arranging flights carrying immigrants to arrive in Jacksonville in the early morning hours and why the federal government hasn’t alerted the state when the immigrants will be arriving:
“How come you’re not blaring this from the rafters so that everybody knows how great you’re doing?”
During Session, lawmakers also have begun budget negotiations. DeSantis’ proposed budget includes $8 million to move immigrants who are in the country illegally out of Florida.
“I can tell you, we’re getting money from the Legislature because we will be redirecting to Delaware and California and these other sanctuary states. That’s what (is) going to happen in Florida,” DeSantis said.
Speaking alongside the Governor in Miami were members of the Cuban American community, as well as Attorney General Ashley Moody and Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez, who is of Cuban descent.
“They like to use children as a pawn in this game. But I can tell you, from our perspective, we are protecting children from this heinous scourge that is human trafficking,” Nuñez said.
11 comments
PeterH
February 7, 2022 at 2:26 pm
Did Ron DeSantis explain to his audience that ONLY Congress can change the immigration laws that Joe Biden is following? In 2017 Trump asked Lindsey Graham to formulate stricter bipartisan immigration legislation. Graham’s comprehensive legislation was soundly defeated by Steven Miller and Trump’s White House.
Only Congress can change immigration law. Where is Marco Rubio, Rick Scott and the numerous Florida House representatives? Why are they not addressing the border issues and immigration?
Tom
February 7, 2022 at 3:28 pm
Not only are you a pathetic demagogue, you are a liar peter h.
The last time Congress dwelt with immigration was when President Reagan signed the Simpson/Mazzoli bill in 1988. Regardless, Congress has delegated enormous authority to chief executive. Enforcement is a large part. The Sup ct backed #45 on that along with other presidents.
45 pleaded for a bill. George W. Pleaded with both sides to offer a bill. Obama as well.
Stop the stupid you ignoramus. Schumer and Pelosi won’t allow it. Giggles Harris is opposed as she opposed Sen Scott’s police reform.
Bipartisan is when you do 80% of what the Dums want, for seals like you.
Biden and the Dums destroyed the border. Simple enforcement would change this by 70%. Trump had it sealed. Obama used cages you liar.
You are the most insincere, double faced liar. Go dry off pathetic Schmidt & Wilson you towel boy. Lincoln Org is a racist predator Org, you associate with.
Peter h, you lie on border, tax cuts, school education, jobs employment and all topics for Dums. DeSantis is destroying you and your hacks. He has elephant balls.
You have no street cred like Nail, Alex, ocean Joe, Frankie, tjb, concerned, science disbeliever, others. Cava Levine is a pathetic liar, hack Dum.
Wah, Wah cry eye.
FP Monitor
February 7, 2022 at 4:21 pm
It’s a big mistake to respond to anything Tom posts. He’s an arrogant ignorant Trumpster hack simply looking for the attention he doesn’t get from friends or family. Do yourself and ALL OF US a big favor. Ignore all of his return comments. Maybe the internet troll will go away.
zhombre
February 7, 2022 at 5:37 pm
Take your PSA and shove it, Monitor.
Tom
February 7, 2022 at 4:40 pm
Wah, Wah cry eye peter h.
Cause you are the judge and jury.
Just like you want to fix elections.
Just like you have a fixed media.
Nothing You say is true. You hide from Lincoln.
Your racist Org.
No Manchurian will avoid my rightful critique.
You want a one Party State, and one party media. So Elmo Is offended. Wah Wah! I’ll
Get your a tissue. You can’t play with me.
SANDRA OLIVA
February 13, 2022 at 12:23 pm
DE SANTIS IS JUST A 5TH RATE POLITICIAN WHO IS TRYING TO BEST TRUMP IN THE EGO FIGHT! BOTH ARE ANTIAMERICAN BLOWHARDS SEEKING TO REMAIN POPULAR! THESE FOLKS NEED TO GET INTO THE TUB FOR A CLEANING…ALL THEY WANT IS FOR MORE POWER, FOR BAD OR GOOD FOR THE CITIZENS….WE DON;T COUNT WHEN IT COMES TO REPUBLICANS.
PeterH
February 7, 2022 at 3:44 pm
Every word of my statement is 100% accurate and truthful. You should be banned from posting on Florida Politics because you continuously comment on “other people’s posts”…. as opposed to making an initial comment on ANY ARTICLE. Most of what you type is a complete lie with rhetoric filled with typical GQP hate. You are a disgrace to what remains of today’s Republican Party.
zhombre
February 7, 2022 at 5:40 pm
And you, a Vichy Conservative and cheerleader for the repulsive Lincoln Project grifters, are a disgrace and an arrogant jerk.
Tom
February 9, 2022 at 7:49 pm
Peter you are a pathetic Lincoln predator. You love taking cheap shots at the Repub party cause they’ve become more blue collar, middle class, working class, diverse and bottom up. Compared to the patricians it once was dominated by.
You lie about the illegal border entries. You lie bout Congress and immigration bill. You lie bout the tax cuts not helping middle class.
It’s More diverse with Hispanic and African Americans amongst other minorities.
You lie and ignore how much was collected by IRS, US Treasury. The most ever collected last year.
It sucks being a Biden/Harris Dum.
He’s sunk below 39% in most recent approval poll. He’s below 30% approval on immigration. He’s in mid 30’s economy approval.
It’s a total collapse. 60 net House seats pick up.
6 to 8 net Senate seat pick up. But don’t worry Manchurians you have giggles Harris and Jen Psaki. LMAO.
Tjb
February 7, 2022 at 4:36 pm
Can we get more information on the immigrants arriving in Florida on early morning flights from DeSantis?
Could it simply be uniting an immigrant with family members?
Also, most of the illegal drugs are not coming thru because of immigration. The Cartels are using much more sophisticated means to import massive amounts of drugs.
Concern Citizen
February 10, 2022 at 5:41 pm
Was does DeSantis have a problem with immigrant children being united with their parents? Heartless ! DeSantis you want us to believe that you are a good Christian, but you actions are that of a sinful man.
Comments are closed.