Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis declared on Tuesday his decision to deploy over 1,100 assets to Texas. This step has been taken to support Texas Governor Greg Abbott in grappling with the illegal immigration crisis, which has escalated due to policy decisions made by the current administration.
This action follows a record-breaking week, where an estimated 83,000 illegal border crossings were reported following the termination of Title 42, marking the highest number ever recorded in U.S. history.
“Communities nationwide feel the ripple effects of this Border Crisis, and the federal government’s lack of action undermines our nation’s sovereignty and rule of law,” DeSantis noted in a statement. “Under my directive, state agencies, including law enforcement and the Florida National Guard, will be deployed to Texas with assets, including personnel, boats, and planes. While the crisis continues unabated, Florida is prepared to support Texas in addressing it.”
The resources being dispatched by DeSantis to Texas encompass 800 Florida National Guard soldiers, 101 Florida Highway Patrol troopers, 200 Florida Department of Law Enforcement officers, 20 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers, 20 emergency management personnel, 17 unmanned aerial vehicles with support teams, 10 vessels, and five fixed-wing aircraft equipped with monitoring equipment and downlink capabilities, along with two aviation crew teams, and two mobile command vehicles with command teams.
Addressing the border issue, DeSantis stated, “We’ve been successful in obtaining injunctions against mass releases, and we’re persistent… maintaining sovereignty in our country and upholding the rule of law is crucial. Since the onset of the current administration, we’ve been proactive on this issue, including assisting Texas previously, and we’re now prepared with an array of assets to help further.”
DeSantis cautioned that despite claims from Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas of a decrease in illegal border crossings, the situation could potentially deteriorate significantly and quickly.
The Florida governor, who is believed to be announcing a presidential campaign soon, has expressed his intention to complete the border wall initiated under President Trump’s administration.
While 450 miles of border wall were built during Trump’s tenure, most of it replaced old barriers. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, only 85 miles of the new border wall were constructed in areas without pre-existing barriers.
DeSantis emphasized, “The border needs to be secured. The ongoing situation is unacceptable. It needs to be closed down, and a wall needs to be built,” adding his readiness to send workers from Florida to assist with the construction. “We’ll get the job done.”
He further stressed the need for a robust policy, “Crossing the border illegally should lead to immediate deportation, not a court appearance notice for a trial years later. This provides no deterrence. We also have to address the influx of fentanyl into our country due to this porous border. Mexican drug cartels, the culprits behind this, need to be held accountable. We cannot stand by as our citizens suffer.”
