Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) on Friday defended deploying law enforcement officers and soldiers to the Florida Keys to prevent Haitian migrants fleeing violence from entering Florida.
“Given the situation that's happening in Haiti, some brutal reports that are happening, we want to make sure that we're protecting Floridians,” DeSantis said at a news conference where he also signed bills to target “illegal immigration.”
“We have authorized additional officers with the relevant agencies — Florida Department of Law Enforcement; Florida Fish and Wildlife [Conservation Commission]; we've also augmented the National Guard, another 48 guardsmen; up to 133 soldiers from the Florida State Guard; and 30 additional officers from Florida Highway Patrol; four additional helicopters through the National Guard,” the governor said. “So, this is a significant augmentation.”
DeSantis ordered the deployment of more than 250 law enforcement officers and soldiers — nearly two people for every Haitian migrant who has been repatriated by the U.S. Coast Guard in the last five months, according to the Associated Press.
His order comes as gang violence has increased in Haiti for weeks, leading to gangs attacking the country’s largest prison and allowing more than 3,000 inmates to escape. After international pressure, Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced he would step down. Gangs now control 80% of Haiti’s capital, according to United Nations estimates, and they continue to fight for the rest.
DeSantis’ order also called for more aircrafts and boats, but so far the U.S. Coast Guard has not seen increased migrant traffic in the waters off Florida.
“I think the message is, the last thing you should want to do is get on some boat and think you're going to come through from any of these islands to get to the state of Florida. The most likely scenario: you will be stopped and you will be returned to your country of origin,” DeSantis said Friday. “It's a hazardous journey, it's not worth doing, and we have the resources that are going to continue to keep the people of Florida safe.”
