DeSantis extends state of emergency on immigration

The same week that lawmakers passed a comprehensive immigration bill with $12 million for Gov. Ron DeSantis’ contentious migrant relocation program, the governor also extended a state of emergency on “illegal migration.” The governor signed a new executive order Thursday.  His first order, due to expire today, came out in January and was “​​due to the mass migration of unauthorized aliens to Florida.”

A 60-day extension “is necessary,” he wrote, “because the large influx of migrants remains unabated and the response from the Biden Administration continues to be inadequate and … this ongoing crisis continues to strain local resources and requires the continued coordination, direction, and resources of the state of Florida.”

The bill (SB 1718), which he has yet to sign, increases requirements for employers to check the immigration status of workers and requires hospitals to collect data about the citizenship status of patients. The legislation continues his program of transporting migrants to Democratic-controlled cities and states. The only time it’s been used was to fly 49 migrants from Texas through Florida to Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts last year. 

The bill also would require all businesses with 25 or more employees to use the federal E-Verify system to check the immigration status of workers. And it would require hospitals to ask patients about whether they are U.S. citizens or are in the country legally. Hospitals would be required to submit reports about the responses to the state.

– The News Service of Florida contributed background. Got tips? Email editor@cityandstatefl.com.