JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters expressed his support for Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposals targeting illegal immigration ahead of the legislature’s special session scheduled for next week.
Waters joined Gov. DeSantis, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Executive Director Dave Kerner, Rep. Kiyan Michael and other officials during a news conference at the JSO headquarters Thursday afternoon.
“Any question about where I stand, you know now we’re going to take care of the city. We’re going to take care of the people of the city,” Waters said during the news conference.
DeSantis emphasized the need for new laws to enhance law enforcement’s role in helping the federal government.
“We want all of them to help facilitate this important mission,” DeSantis said.
The governor’s proposals include:
- Require law enforcement (municipal, county and state levels) to have maximum participation in any programs to assist the federal government with the enforcement of immigration laws
- Enact criminal penalties for illegal entry under state law
- Appoint a state immigration officer to oversee coordination with federal authorities and Florida’s existing transport and deportation program
- Expand authorities for local and state officials to detain and deport people who entered the country illegally
- Broaden the definition of gang-related activities to include “dangerous” groups of undocumented migrants
- Require voter registration affirmation of U.S. citizenship and Florida residency
- Increase penalties for undocumented migrants who commit voter fraud or provide false voter registration information
- Have money transfer companies impose an ID verification for foreign remittances
- Establish a “rebuttable presumption” that people who enter the country illegally are “flight risks” and deny bail if accused of a crime
DeSantis also expressed his support for a proposed state bill, that would repeal a decade-old law that allows some undocumented immigrant students, known as “Dreamers,” to receive in-state tuition rates at Florida universities and colleges.
“Why would we give that tuition discount to people that are not even in the state legally?” DeSantis said during a news conference on Jan.15 “So we need to repeal that. We have to put Floridians first.”
During Thursday’s news conference, Waters said he was thankful that the state has a “strong legislature.”
“I know that what needs to get done is going to be done,” Waters said. “We have the issue to back it up.”
Waters referred to a recent counter-narcotics trafficking operation that resulted in 10 arrests and the seizure of fentanyl, marijuana and MDMA. That operation, dubbed “Jacob’s Ladder,” exposed the presence of the Gulf Cartel, a Mexican criminal organization founded in the 1930s.
“These cartel issues are not just at the southern border. They are nationwide. It’s a nationwide issue. And an issue that I take personally in my county to make sure we take care of the city of Jacksonville, I’m going to do that,” Waters said.
MORE | JSO’s Operation Jacob’s Ladder exposed the Gulf Cartel’s presence in Northeast Florida
Waters also said the number of undocumented inmates at the Duval County jail has increased over the last four years.
- 2021: 121
- 2022: 280
- 2023: 287
- 2024: 334
DeSantis said he hopes the legislature will back his proposals with the laws and funding needed to carry out the crackdown on immigration.
“It’s still just the right thing to do, and I think it’s what our citizens expect us to do,” DeSantis said.