(PatriotSpotlight.org) – Ron DeSantis says that Florida’s National Guard (FNG) will aid the Texas National Guard (TNG) in securing the US southern border with Mexico. The Florida Governor’s decision was announced on Thursday, February 1, as the states prepare to jointly tackle the challenge of rising illegal immigration.
Under Governor DeSantis’s plans, up to 1,000 FNG members along with personnel from the Florida State Guard, are set to travel to Texas to provide support. Writing in a statement last Friday, Governor DeSantis, who abandoned his presidential bid in January, emphasized the importance of defending state-level sovereignty, affirming that Florida was “pleased” to increase its support to the Lone Star State”, describing the challenging or irregular migrants as an “invasion”. He also explained how the support would include helping Texas reinforce barriers such as fences and razor wire.
Texas’ Republican Governor Greg Abbott has previously declared an official state of invasion in response to a surge in illicit border crossings. In response, he has been hit with a series of legal challenges, including a Supreme Court ruling on the removal of razor wire barriers. In December 20203 he enacted legislation that made illegal border crossings punishable with fines of up to 2,000 dollars and custodial sentences.
DeSantis has also hit out at the Biden administration over the crisis, suggesting its impact can be felt “by communities across the nation”. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas and Texas Civil Rights Project filed a retaliatory lawsuit against the state of Texas on behalf of El Paso County, arguing that the plans violate the US Constitution.
Florida and Texas, who do not share a state border, have previously collaborated on curbing illegal immigration. In 2023 Florida lent support to Texas’ border securing efforts, with Governor Abbott publicly thanking the Sunshine State for its National Guard’s assistance in reinforcing critical locations along the border with Mexico. According to Pew Figures, at least 825,000 people in Florida lack legal status.
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