Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is making waves again. Last week, he signed a memorandum that could give Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) officers the power to act as federal immigration agents. But not everyone’s thrilled, especially the union representing most of the state’s troopers.
Here’s what’s happening:
DeSantis’ Immigration Push
On January 29, DeSantis met with law enforcement and residents affected by illegal immigration to discuss the state’s next steps. Shortly after, he inked an agreement between FHP and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This memorandum allows troopers to exercise immigration powers—a move aimed at assisting federal efforts to address illegal immigration.
“Governor DeSantis is committed to creating the strongest immigration laws possible,” said Dave Kerner, Executive Director of Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
But while some hail this as a bold step forward, others are raising their eyebrows—and concerns.
Troopers’ Union Speaks Out
William Smith, president of the FHP chapter of the Florida Police Benevolent Association, didn’t hold back. “We’re ready to do the job, but where’s the funding?” he asked.
Smith pointed out that while troopers are ready to step up, their pay and resources have been lagging for years. Starting salaries for troopers hover around $54,000—a figure he says leaves many unable to afford homes or start families.
“It’s easy to sign a piece of paper and say, ‘Do more.’ But are you going to pay us for it?” Smith questioned.
Big Plans, Unanswered Questions
DeSantis isn’t stopping at deputizing troopers. He’s also pushing for sweeping immigration reforms:
- Making it a state crime to enter the U.S. illegally.
- Requiring ID checks before sending money abroad.
- Ending “catch and release” policies.
- Mandating cooperation between local governments and federal deportation programs.
While these plans sound tough, Smith says they come with challenges. The highway patrol is already understaffed, with 150 vacancies, and DeSantis plans to cut 25 more positions.
“It feels like one step forward, two steps back,” Smith said.
The Funding Gap
The FHP is requesting $12.9 million in the next budget to raise trooper pay and hire more officers. But Smith says they’ll need closer to $27 million to fully fund operations.
Without clear guidance on how this new role will work—like how many troopers will be involved or what training they’ll need—Smith says the memorandum leaves him with “more questions than answers.”
A Call for Support
Smith emphasized the importance of immigration reform but stressed the need to properly support the troopers on the front lines. “We can’t protect our state if we can’t protect our families at home,” he said.
As Florida takes on this ambitious immigration plan, it’s clear that success hinges on more than bold announcements—it’s about ensuring the people tasked with carrying it out have the tools they need.
