Florida takes lead on Trump-era immigration measures under DeSantis

Key Takeaways

• Florida mandates death penalty for unauthorized immigrants convicted of major crimes, going beyond federal policies in February 2025.
• All 67 Florida sheriffs now partner with ICE under the 287(g) program for state-wide immigration enforcement.
• International students in Florida face rapid visa revocations, especially following protests or minor legal infractions.

Florida 🇺🇸 has quickly become the center of a large immigration crackdown that started with former President Donald Trump and now goes even further under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis. These efforts are not just about strict law enforcement. They also involve sweeping changes to state laws, big new spending on police and border safety, and direct action against international students at state universities. Florida 🇺🇸 is now showing other states what strict immigration enforcement looks like.

Let’s break down what Florida 🇺🇸 is doing, why it matters, and what it could mean for immigrants, universities, and everyone living in Florida 🇺🇸. As reported by VisaVerge.com, these actions have not just drawn praise from those who want to see fewer undocumented immigrants, but also strong debate about fairness, rights, and the limits of state power.

How Florida 🇺🇸 Leads the Crackdown

After President Trump first pushed for tighter immigration controls across the United States 🇺🇸, Florida 🇺🇸 has moved even more boldly. When Governor Ron DeSantis signed a wide range of new immigration laws in February 2025, he made sure every level of law enforcement in Florida 🇺🇸 would join this push. Many leaders in other states are now watching Florida 🇺🇸 closely, considering if they should take similar steps.

New Laws and Major Spending

In February 2025, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a broad package of laws aimed directly at supporting President Trump’s mass deportation plan. These laws cover:

• Nearly $300 million in spending for new immigration enforcement efforts in the state.
• Over 50 new officers hired and focused just on immigration issues.
• Grants for local police so they can buy equipment and get special training.
• Bonuses for local police who help with federal immigration enforcement.
• Paying for the use of private jails to hold people arrested on immigration charges.

One of the strictest parts of these new laws is the rule that says unauthorized immigrants — that is, people living in Florida 🇺🇸 without government approval — must get the death penalty if they are found guilty of serious crimes like first-degree murder or child rape. This goes further than any current rules from the federal government. It’s a move that has shocked some people and sparked big debates among lawyers, families, and human rights groups.

Supporters of these new laws say they finally give police the power and money they need to stop a problem they say Washington has ignored for too long. Critics say these laws cross a line, pushing the state into areas — like the death penalty — that many feel should be decided at the federal level.

Many believe these laws show Governor Ron DeSantis’s strong support for President Trump’s approach and make Florida 🇺🇸 stand out among all the states.

Teaming Up with Federal ICE Agents

Before 2025, some local police departments in Florida 🇺🇸 worked closely with federal immigration authorities but not every county took part. Now, Florida 🇺🇸 is the first state to make every one of its 67 county sheriffs into key partners with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

This is done through what’s called the 287(g) program. It’s a rule that lets local police act like ICE agents after getting special training. In Florida 🇺🇸, this means:

• Police can check immigration status and even start deportation steps, not just in jails but also while on patrol or at traffic stops.
• The Jail Enforcement Model lets police find out if someone in jail is undocumented and start federal paperwork to remove them.
• The Task Force Model allows police to take action outside of jail, such as making immigration arrests during regular investigations or while on the street.
• The Warrant Service Officer Program means deputies can serve special ICE warrants to people already inside county jails.

Major areas like Miami-Dade and Broward counties are part of these agreements. With every local officer now involved, police in Florida 🇺🇸 play a direct, hands-on role in the federal immigration process. That’s a big change and means police in Florida 🇺🇸 can find, detain, and start the process of removing more people than before.

Supporters believe pairing up state and federal work in this way will make the immigration system stronger and keep what they call “dangerous people” out of local communities. Opponents worry it could make many people afraid to call police when they need help, since they may be questioned on immigration even as crime victims or witnesses.

Student Visa Crackdown at Major Universities

Florida 🇺🇸 has also seen federal officials take strong action against international students, a move that has worried many young people hoping to study in the United States 🇺🇸.

Over the past year, officials have taken away visas from at least two dozen international students at top Florida 🇺🇸 universities — including Florida International University (FIU) and the University of Florida (UF). Many of these students were not told the reason their visas were canceled. Most lost their student (F1) visa status quickly, without warning.

Some students say they were punished for taking part in protests, such as those supporting the Palestinian cause. Others say their visas were canceled over things that seem quite small — like a traffic ticket or a missed appointment.

Being forced to leave school or the country right away has left these students with few options. Many feel scared or helpless. Some are afraid to speak openly, worrying this could hurt their families back home or ruin plans for the future.

Universities and student groups in Florida 🇺🇸 say these actions send a message that international students are not welcome, creating a “chilling effect.” Some students are rethinking their plans to study in Florida 🇺🇸, and others worry open debate and free speech will be punished.

How Do Florida’s 🇺🇸 Policies Compare to Others?

Let’s look at what makes Florida 🇺🇸 stand out:

• State Laws Go Further: No other state has passed such a large group of laws matching the harshness and detail found in Florida 🇺🇸.
• Widespread Local-Federal Link: While other states have a few counties linked with ICE, Florida 🇺🇸 now does so in every single county — the most in the country.
• Death Penalty for Certain Crimes: No other state requires the death penalty for unauthorized immigrants found guilty of crimes like murder. This is new and very controversial.
• Targeting Student Visas: Other states sometimes see visa issues, but Florida 🇺🇸 has drawn attention for how quickly and how often international students have lost their visas.

Reactions: Support, Criticism, and Growing Debate

Governor Ron DeSantis and many political leaders in Florida 🇺🇸 say these actions are needed. They believe the state is “ahead of the curve” in tackling what they call an “illegal immigration crisis.” By putting strict laws in place, they hope to set a pattern for other states to follow, supporting President Trump’s promised border crackdown.

“We have taken real action where federal leaders have failed,” one state official said. “Families and communities in Florida 🇺🇸 can feel safer.”

People who support these rules point to:

• Increased police presence and more resources to stop crime.
• Strong backing of President Trump’s immigration promises.
• Giving local officers clear powers and instructions to act quickly.
• Showing the federal government that a state can take the lead.

But there is also loud criticism from many groups:

• Lawyers and immigrant advocates worry about civil rights and fairness. They fear new laws may take away basic rights like due process — the rule that the government must follow fair steps before it can punish someone.
• Some say Florida 🇺🇸 is putting people at risk of “racial profiling.” This means police may question or arrest someone just because of the way they look, not because of actual wrongdoing.
• University leaders warn the state could lose its reputation as a place that welcomes students from around the world.
• Human rights groups are especially worried about the death penalty rule, saying it could lead to mistakes or violate constitutional rules about equal protection under the law.
• Local police chiefs in a few cities, especially those with large immigrant communities, say these changes might make immigrants afraid to call 911, even to report dangerous crimes.

Long-Term Effects: What Could This Mean?

Florida’s 🇺🇸 tough new path is already sending shockwaves across the United States 🇺🇸. Conservative lawmakers in other states are considering similar plans, hoping to show they too can be “tough on illegal immigration.” This could start a wave of laws and local partnerships with ICE in other areas.

For immigrants in Florida 🇺🇸, these steps mean the risk of being questioned, arrested, or deported is now higher than ever before. Some families are deciding to move to other states with less strict enforcement. For businesses and farms that depend on workers from other countries, there may be labor shortages, especially in fields like farming, hospitality, and construction.

Students who come to Florida 🇺🇸 from overseas may think twice before applying to universities there. This could mean less money for schools, and Florida 🇺🇸 could lose out on talented people who might have helped its economy or culture.

For police, the job is likely to get more complicated. Officers must now balance fighting crime with immigration work, and some worry this takes resources away from other important tasks.

The Debate Over Authority: States vs. Federal Government

Florida’s 🇺🇸 aggressive new laws bring up serious questions about which level of government — state or federal — should control immigration policy. Normally, immigration is mostly a federal job. Critics of Florida’s 🇺🇸 laws say they reach beyond what states are allowed to do and may clash with federal law, especially on issues like the death penalty.

Legal challenges are likely. Civil rights groups have already said they plan to take Florida 🇺🇸 to court. They hope federal judges will block the toughest parts of these new laws, saying the U.S. Constitution only gives Congress the main power over immigration and how criminals are punished.

Florida’s 🇺🇸 leaders, including Governor Ron DeSantis, say they feel they must act in the face of what they call failed national policies. They argue that if the federal government will not enforce the law, then states must act — for the safety and order of their own people.

What Should Immigrants and Students in Florida 🇺🇸 Do Now?

For anyone living in or planning to visit Florida 🇺🇸 on a visa (including F1 student visas), the picture is changing quickly. Here are some important points:

• Stay informed of all local and state laws — even small missteps can carry bigger risks now.
• International students should keep up-to-date on student visa requirements and keep in touch with their school’s international student office.
• If approached by police, remain calm and know your rights, including the right to remain silent and ask for a lawyer.
• For anyone with questions about immigration status, contacting a qualified immigration lawyer is recommended, as new policies may change quickly.

A Table of Key Parts

Here is a quick summary:

Looking Ahead: What Comes Next?

Florida 🇺🇸 has become the national example for a strict approach to immigration, motivated by President Trump’s agenda and carried out by Governor Ron DeSantis. Other states are sure to watch closely. Whether these moves will stand up to legal challenges, or instead prompt a bigger rethink of how immigration should work in America, remains to be seen.

For now, immigrants, students, employers, and police across Florida 🇺🇸 must adjust to new rules and risks. Only time will tell what effect these steps will have not just on Florida 🇺🇸, but on the whole country. For more information on immigration processes or updates, check official resources such as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The power struggle between state law and federal authority is just beginning — and everyone from families to lawmakers is waiting to see what happens next.

Learn Today

287(g) Program → Federal rule allowing local police to perform immigration enforcement tasks after specific training with ICE.
F1 Visa → Non-immigrant visa permitting foreign students to study at U.S. academic institutions, subject to strict compliance.
Death Penalty Provision → State law requiring capital punishment for unauthorized immigrants found guilty of severe crimes like first-degree murder.
ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) → Federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration and customs laws in the United States.
Due Process → Legal principle ensuring fair procedures and protections before depriving someone of life, liberty, or property.

This Article in a Nutshell

Florida leads the nation with strict new immigration policies signed by Governor DeSantis in February 2025. These laws impose mandatory death penalties for unauthorized immigrants convicted of serious crimes, deputize all sheriffs to work with ICE, and target student visas—shaping both community life and national immigration debate with sweeping consequences.
— By VisaVerge.com

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• Utah immigration lawyer told by Homeland Security to self-deport
• Bahamas emerges as key route for illegal immigration to Florida
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