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Examining DeSantis's Immigration Policies as He Weighs 2024 Presidential Run
It's no secret that current Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is eyeing a run for the White House in 2024. But with the ever-changing landscape of American politics, it's worth taking a look at how well DeSantis is doing on one of his key campaign issues: immigration.
Ever since taking office, DeSantis has been tested on his stance on immigration. In recent months, he has been vocal about his support for Former President Donald Trump's proposed border wall, and he has also come out in favor of the Trump's executive order banning refugees from entering the United States.
While this may play well with DeSantis's conservative base, it could be a thorn in his side with more moderate voters. It will be interesting to see how DeSantis handles this issue as he continues to weigh a potential run for the presidency.
Governor DeSantis's Record Before Test
In the early days of his tenure as Florida governor, Ron DeSantis has been tested on his immigration policies.
DeSantis had campaigned on a hard-line immigration stance, vowing to hold sanctuary cities accountable and to deploy the National Guard to the Mexican border. But he has since softened his rhetoric, saying he wants to find a "compromise" on the issue.
The Republican governor has also come under scrutiny for his 2018 comments that "Dreamers" — undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children — are "not people that we should be upset with."
Critics say DeSantis is attempting to straddle the fence on immigration in order to improve his chances of winning the 2024 presidential election.
Immigration Policies Under DeSantis's Administration
Since being elected Governor of Florida in 2018, Ron DeSantis has been closely watched for his policies on immigration. And with good reason: as he weighs a run for the presidency in 2024, his actions on this hot-button issue will be critical.
In the past year, DeSantis has signed several bills into law that have impacted immigrants in Florida. One bill denies in-state tuition to undocumented students, while another allows law enforcement officers to ask for proof of citizenship from anyone they suspect of being in the country illegally.
Though DeSantis has defended his policies as being fair and reasonable, they have come under fire from many quarters. Critics argue that they are needlessly punitive and sow division and mistrust in immigrant communities.
Recent Immigration-Related Action Taken by DeSantis
In the past few months, DeSantis has been quite busy when it comes to immigration policy. In March, he announced a new policy that would force all Florida counties to comply with federal detainer requests. This policy would require county jails to hold immigrants for up to 48 hours past their release date so that they can be transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In addition, DeSantis has also spoken out against the recent "sanctuary city" policies in Florida. In April, he sent a letter to Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez, urging him to reverse the county's "sanctuary" policy. DeSantis also spoke at a rally in Fort Myers, where he accused Miami-Dade of being a "sanctuary" for criminals.
Reactions to DeSantis's Immigration Policies
Governor DeSantis's immigration policies have received mixed reactions from across the political spectrum. Many progressive Democrats have expressed frustration with DeSantis's stance on sanctuary cities, while Republicans have praised him for championing border security and stricter immigration policies.
DeSantis has also earned the support of Former President Trump—whose own hard-line approach to immigration was met with vocal opposition when he was in office—with the Governor repeatedly expressing his loyalty to the former president. Though some conservatives have criticized DeSantis for not taking an even tougher stance on immigration, many still appreciate his efforts to support Trump's policies.
In any case, as DeSantis considers a potential 2024 presidential run, it's clear that his views on immigration will be closely scrutinized by voters on both sides of the aisle.
Impact of Immigration-Related Actions on Potential Presidential Run
As DeSantis prepares for a possible 2024 presidential run, his actions related to immigration will no doubt be under intense scrutiny. He is in favor of a hard-line stance on illegal immigration, including an executive order he signed in 2019 that requires all state agencies to use E-Verify when hiring new employees. He has also pushed for stronger border security measures, and backed legislation that would deny sanctuary cities funding.
DeSantis's immigration policies have sparked fierce debate in Florida and across the nation. Supporters argue that these measures are necessary to protect the integrity of the US border, while critics contend that they unfairly target immigrants and have led to an increase in human rights violations. It remains to be seen how DeSantis's immigration-related actions will influence his potential presidential run.
Implications of DeSantis's Record for 2024 Presidential Candidacy
As DeSantis's record on immigration continues to be examined and debated, it is unclear what consequences it will have on his 2024 presidential candidacy. The governor has already started fundraising and building up a team. However, how his policies may be perceived by voters will likely be a factor in whether or not he goes forward with the run.
Several issues have come up in light of DeSantis's record, such as his opposition to expanding refugee resettlement programs in the state and his support for SB 168, which requires e-verify for all employers doing business with the state. He has also received criticism for signing the controversial anti-rioting bill. His record could potentially become a major point of contention in the Republican primary race if he opts to enter it.
Conclusion
As he weighs a 2024 run for the presidency, DeSantis is being closely watched on his stance on immigration. In June, he signed a bill banning sanctuary cities in the state of Florida. The measure makes it a crime for local officials to not cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
DeSantis defended the measure, saying in a statement that it "will ensure that our communities are safe and that those who break our laws will face consequences." However, the bill has been met with criticism from immigration advocates, who say it will lead to more deportations and separation of families.
