The administration of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has taken another step in its crusade against illegal immigration by presenting a state plan that would mark a turning point in local immigration policy.
According to a report by Telemundo 51, this is an unprecedented strategy in the United States that proposes the Sunshine State to act with or without the intervention of the federal government, taking on roles traditionally reserved for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The 37-page document—submitted to the DHS by the DeSantis administration and cited by local media—details how Florida is preparing to become not only a collaborator with the Washington government but also an independent actor in immigration matters.
The proposal includes the mobilization of state agencies -such as the National Guard, the Department of Health, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and the Division of Emergency Management- to carry out tasks of identification, detention, transfer, and deportation of undocumented immigrants.
"The purpose of this document is to propose a roadmap for the important role that the State of Florida can play in assisting the federal government in combating illegal immigration during current and future emergencies," reads the report, also quoted by the Miami Herald.
A plan aligned with Trump
DeSantis's approach is clearly aligned with the anti-immigrant agenda of former president Donald Trump, with whom the governor has a close political relationship.
According to the Miami Herald, Florida intends to "ease the pressure on federal partners like ICE and CBP" and position itself as "a key partner in Trump’s mass deportation efforts."
In fact, the proposal has begun to be partially implemented with operations such as the so-called "Operation Tide", in which federal and state agencies conducted mass arrests of undocumented immigrants.
How far can Florida go legally?
For several legal experts, the plan poses a constitutional challenge.
“Ten or fifteen years ago, the line was very clear: immigration was a federal matter. Period. But that has been changing,” explained political commentator, Alex Penelas, in statements to Telemundo 51.
However, immigration attorney Eduardo Soto warns that "the State of Florida has no legal authority to deport anyone" and that "this is a federal function exclusive to the Department of Homeland Security."
Soto clarifies that Florida can participate in detention and transfer tasks, but not in decisions regarding the deportation or permanence of migrants, as that would violate the due process guaranteed by U.S. law.
"Anyone who has lived in the United States for more than two years has the absolute right to a hearing before a judge before being physically deported," he recalled.
The scope of the state plan
The proposal includes unprecedented operational aspects, as detailed by the Miami Herald, which include:
Creation of detention centers: It is planned to set up temporary facilities with the capacity to accommodate up to 10,000 immigrants, which could be established within 72 to 96 hours, with support from 12 logistics providers contracted by the state.
Agents trained under law 287(g): Florida already has more than 270 active agreements under this federal program that allows local police to perform immigration functions. DeSantis has claimed that his state has more designated agents under this law than any other in the country.
Training of immigration judges: The plan intends to train National Guard public defenders to serve as immigration judges and participate in remote hearings, a move that has faced strong criticism from experts and former federal officials.
Self-Deportation Program: A plan is being reintroduced to facilitate the voluntary departure from the country for individuals without criminal records, with logistics and costs initially covered by the state, which will later seek reimbursement from ICE.
Logistical and transportation support: Transport systems have been coordinated at the state level, with vans and drivers available to move detainees between detention centers.
The figures and the impact
Florida is one of the states with the highest undocumented population.
According to the Pew Research Center, in 2024, approximately 1.2 million people without legal immigration status resided in Florida.
On the other hand, the DHS estimates that in 2022 there were about 590,000.
These figures, although divergent, rank the state as the third with the most undocumented immigrants in the U.S. 【Miami Herald】.
The state has about 47,000 law enforcement agents, many of whom have been trained through cooperation agreements with ICE. This force would be crucial for implementing DeSantis's plan.
Critiques and concerns
Numerous experts and civil rights advocates have expressed their concern about what they consider an overreach of state power.
Alex Howard, spokesperson for DHS during the Biden administration, was emphatic.
"This plan disregards due process. It empowers the state to arrest, detain, and deport without meaningful federal oversight, while requiring Washington to pay for actions that the DHS never authorized." Howard warned that the plan "resembled less a law enforcement strategy and more something typical of Havana, Managua, or Caracas," he noted in statements to the Miami Herald.
Moreover, immigrant advocacy organizations fear that initiatives such as the 287(g) law will deteriorate trust between communities and law enforcement agencies, deterring crime victims from reporting offenses due to fear of deportation.
Beyond the operational and legal viability of the plan, several analysts agree that DeSantis's migration strategy has an electoral background.
In a state increasingly aligned with the hardline faction of the Republican Party, the governor appears determined to solidify his image as a defender of "law and order" through high-profile actions on issues such as immigration.
The big question is whether this ambitious plan can be fully implemented without facing a wave of lawsuits and constitutional challenges.
So far, the federal government has not issued an official response, but the conflict between jurisdictions is set to escalate to the courts.
Frequently asked questions about Ron DeSantis's immigration plan in Florida
What does Ron DeSantis's immigration plan in Florida entail?
Ron DeSantis' immigration plan aims for Florida to act independently regarding immigration, without relying on the federal government, to identify, detain, and deport undocumented immigrants. The proposal includes the mobilization of state agencies such as the National Guard and the use of law 287(g) to allow local police to perform immigration functions.
How does DeSantis' plan align with Donald Trump's policies?
DeSantis's plan aligns with the anti-immigrant agenda of former President Donald Trump, with whom he shares a close political relationship. Florida aims to relieve pressure on federal agencies such as ICE and CBP, positioning itself as a key partner in the mass deportation efforts promoted by Trump.
What criticism has DeSantis' immigration plan received?
The plan has been criticized for its potential overreach of state powers and violations of due process, as it grants Florida functions that are traditionally federal. Civil rights experts have expressed concern over the lack of federal oversight and the negative impact on trust between immigrant communities and local authorities.
What is Operation Tide and what results has it had?
The Marea Operation is a coordinated deployment of mass arrests of undocumented immigrants in Florida, carried out by federal and state agencies. In one of its phases, more than 1,100 immigrants were arrested in just six days, making it the largest raid of its kind in a single state in U.S. history.
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