Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has taken a strong stance on immigration, proposing several measures aimed at protecting the state’s borders and deterring undocumented migrants from settling in Florida. However, a recent incident has revealed tensions within the Republican Party as some state lawmakers defy the Governor’s position on an immigration bill. Central to this disagreement is a proposed bill mandating that undocumented immigrants who are victims of crimes in the state be denied government services and assistance. A faction within the GOP believes that this bill goes too far and risks exacerbating relations with Latin American nations. An op-ed published by one of these republican lawmakers suggested that the state should increase efforts in stopping human trafficking but concurrently avoid policies that discredit Florida within the Latin American community and inadvertently deter foreign investments. While DeSantis has maintained a firm stance on immigration, these occurrences seem to confirm a broader trend of Republican lawmakers questioning the Governor’s approach and testing the limits of political agility. More discussions among the legislators could make clear the extent to which they will challenge the Governor’s grip on party leadership.
Florida GOP legislators challenge DeSantis on immigration policy shift
