On January 7, Governor Ron DeSantis signed an executive order to address the influx of migrants arriving in the Florida Keys, according to a press release.
The order activates the Florida National Guard and directs state law enforcement agencies and other state agencies to provide resources to support local governments in managing the situation.
Gov. DeSantis said in a statement, “As the negative impacts of Biden’s lawless immigration policies continue unabated, the burden of the Biden administration’s failure falls on local law enforcement who lack the resources to deal with the crisis.”
“That is why I am activating the National Guard and directing state resources to help alleviate the strain on local resources. When Biden continues to ignore his legal responsibilities, we will step in to support our communities,” he went on to say.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, which has 194 deputies, has struggled to manage the movement of hundreds of migrants while maintaining public safety, according to the governor’s office, which claims the “inept” Biden administration has not provided sufficient resources to address the mass migration event, leaving local law enforcement to bear the burden.
In response, the state of Florida will deploy air assets, such as airplanes and helicopters from the National Guard, and will increase the presence of marine patrols from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to assist with water interdiction and ensure the safety of migrants attempting to reach Florida through the Florida Straits.
Florida has a history of supporting refugees, including those fleeing communist regimes, but this assistance has typically involved the federal government and a coordinated effort between state, federal, and local governments.
On January 1, around 300 illegal aliens entered Dry Tortugas National Park, located approximately 70 miles west of Key West, and an additional 45 illegal aliens entered Key West, the press release notes.
The park was closed to protect visitors and staff and to provide space to attend to the illegal immigrants.
Since August 2022, law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, and local levels have encountered over 8,000 migrants in waters off the coast of Florida.
