Florida’s GOP-controlled legislature delivered a rare rebuke to Republican Governor Ron DeSantis by swiftly adjourning a special session he called to implement President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. Lawmakers then convened their own session, passing a revised slate of immigration measures and overriding one of DeSantis’s budget vetoes—a first for the state in 15 years.
DeSantis, once a dominant force in Florida politics, has seen his influence wane following his failed 2024 presidential bid. The legislature’s actions highlight a shift in power, with GOP lawmakers demonstrating independence from the governor’s agenda. A Republican strategist remarked, “This would have been unthinkable two years ago,” indicating a clear decline in DeSantis’s clout.
The governor sought laws to enhance Florida’s support for Trump’s immigration priorities, including mandatory local government participation in federal deportation programs, criminal penalties for illegal entry into the state, and requirements for identification before sending international remittances. DeSantis also proposed creating a state immigration czar and granting himself authority to activate state and national guard units for immigration enforcement.
Despite supporting Trump’s immigration policies, top Republican lawmakers deemed DeSantis’s special session unnecessary, given the proximity of the regular legislative session in March. State House Speaker Daniel Perez described the special session as a “stunt designed to generate headlines,” while Senate President Ben Albritton emphasized a need to follow Trump’s lead rather than DeSantis’s.
Lawmakers ultimately passed immigration measures, including a provision to eliminate tuition waivers for illegal immigrant students—one of DeSantis’s proposals. However, the governor criticized the new bills as weaker than his original plan, emphasizing their insufficiency to meet the Trump administration’s immigration mandate.
DeSantis’s call for urgent action coincided with President Trump’s praise earlier in the month for the governor’s efforts to align state policies with federal immigration enforcement. Trump supporters and Republican donors noted that while DeSantis’s proposals were well-founded, their timing was poorly coordinated with legislative priorities.
