Florida Intercepts Migrants, Guns as U.S. Braces for Haitian Wave Amid Crisis

In a recent announcement, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis revealed that the state’s Fish and Wildlife officers successfully intercepted a vessel carrying 25 potentially illegal immigrants from Haiti. The operation, which took place near the Sebastian Inlet, uncovered not only unauthorized individuals but also firearms, drugs, and night vision gear aboard the boat. The governor highlighted the reckless nature of the vessel’s navigation, which posed a threat to others in the area.

The intercepted individuals were subsequently handed over to the Coast Guard for deportation. Governor DeSantis emphasized that while such actions have been undertaken by Florida authorities in the past, the state has now allocated additional resources to bolster these efforts. He pointed out that the federal government, particularly the Coast Guard, is primarily responsible for managing such incidents but is currently undermanned and under-resourced. As a result, Florida is stepping in to fill the gaps.

DeSantis also noted a shift in the patterns of immigration, with individuals from various parts of the world, including Haitians, increasingly using the southern border as an entry point into the United States. He attributed this trend to the ease of traveling to Mexico and then crossing the border, a route that seems more viable given the current federal administration’s policies.

Florida Governor recently signed three pivotal bills aimed at curbing illegal immigration in the state. The recently enacted bills include CS/HB 1589, which targets individuals driving without a valid driver’s license; HB 1451, which addresses the issue of identification documents; and CS/CS/SB 1036, which reclassifies certain criminal penalties.

The governor’s statement underscores Florida’s proactive stance on immigration enforcement and border security, as the state takes measures to safeguard its residents amidst perceived federal shortcomings.

BREAKING: Gov. Ron DeSantis announces Florida agents have interdicted a vessel that had 25 suspected illegal aliens from Haiti

“They had firearms, they had drugs […] That vessel was interdicted [and] those illegal aliens were turned over to the Coast Guard for deportation.” pic.twitter.com/LIRBuEwFiO

— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) March 15, 2024