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DeSantis Announces Local Task Force, Other Efforts Targeting ‘Biden Border Crisis’ (Photo Gallery)
June 18, 2022
In Pensacola Friday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced three actions Florida is taking to address what he called the “Biden Border Crisis”, including a law enforcement task force operating locally.
Speaking at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, DeSantis said Florida has formed a strike force of state and local law enforcement to interdict human smuggling, human trafficking, and to seize illegal weapons being transported through the state.
“Illegal aliens are being smuggled across the border in record numbers, which the reckless policies of the Biden administration facilitate,” said DeSantis. “Today, Florida has taken additional action to protect our state from the effects of what is a full-fledged border crisis.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
The strike force is already in place in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties. It’s comprised of the Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Department of Law Enforced and sheriff’s offices from the four counties.
In the span of just three days, mostly along I-10 in Northwest Florida, law enforcement interdicted five illegal aliens from Honduras and two from El Salvador who were arrested and charged with human smuggling or solicitation to commit human smuggling.
The strike force also recovered almost four grams of fentanyl, which the governor said is enough to kill nearly 2,000 Floridians.
Across the state, FHP has identified 40 human smuggling cases with 150 undocumented individuals since January 2021 that resulted 140 charges, according to FHP Director Gene Spaulding.
“I can’t emphasize enough, that is just scratching the surface,” Spaulding said. “If we were able to go out and dedicate full resources to this issue, it would be much higher than that. I’m confident.”
DeSantis filed a petition to the Florida Supreme Court for an order to impanel a statewide grand jury to identify and investigate persons and international human smuggling networks that move illegal aliens, particularly children, across the southwest border to more desirable states such as Florida.
The grand jury will examine these networks’ impact on the State of Florida and how they have violated state laws. In addition, the grand jury will investigate local governments that are aiding this smuggling scheme by intentionally violating state law, which requires them to cooperate with the federal government on immigration matters.
Friday morning, DeSantis also signed SB 1808 that prohibits any Florida government from ding business with any company that carries undocumented immigrants, unless they are being transported for deportation or detention.
State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden said her office will continue working with local and state law enforcement to make sure they present strong cases in court. She has assigned a prosecutor to be available to law enforcement 24/7 as they build cases in the field.
“The administration currently in Washington may not be controlling our nation’s borders,” Bowden Madden said. “But we’re going to do everything that we can to control the borders of the state of Florida.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
35 Responses to “DeSantis Announces Local Task Force, Other Efforts Targeting ‘Biden Border Crisis’ (Photo Gallery)”
RON DESANTIS is AWSOME , some of you dont have any common sense
Thank you God for giving me the ability to think for myself and I don’t have to just follow along with whatever I’m being told by a power seeking fanatic like Ron DeSantis. I can’t understand why this man is being praised for being a great leader, when clearly he is not. If we would have had Ron DeSantis back when all of the other vaccines were being developed, he would have been spewing his nonsense like he is about the Covid vaccine. And more than likely, we would still be battling polio, smallpox, diphtheria and all of those other illnesses that have been eradicated. People, use your head, at one point all of the vaccines that many of you take routinely was new. It’s just that we didn’t have to deal with all the craziness from people like DeSantis back then. This man is a moron who just happened to graduate from Harvard. It is very possible to be book smart and not have any common sense. You can like him as much as you want but you don’t have to follow the stupidity that this man pushes. Heck, we all probably have at least one family member that’s just as looney as he is, but you wouldn’t take their advice on serious issues, so that’s why I choose to think for myself. When are people going to wake up and stop putting up with all of the stupidity that we get from our politicians. That’s why American is failing so badly.
@Stumpknocker
Personally, I think “I don’t like seeing minorities being beaten and thrown in cages for having the audacity to try to flee persecution and try make a better life for themselves and their families” just makes you a decent human being.
I had know idea we had so many liberals in this area!!! So I suggest the liberals not locking their doors, leave them open for anyone to enter your home use your electricity, eat your food and you take care or all their medical needs. There has been two bus loads dropped off here in the area. And yes 8 people is not a large number but if they are not out there they won’t catch any. That fentanyl that was seized probably kept one of your loved ones alive one more day. They drop like flies around here every day!!! So yeah let’s keep an open border so anyone from any country can just walk in, hopefully they will find a liberal home with an unlocked door.
Too bad Trumps Mexican funded big beautiful wall didn’t do as promised. Sad.
Fascism is a form of far-right, authoritarian ultranationalism, characterized by dictatorial power, forcible suppression of opposition, and strong regimentation of society and the economy
Gov. DeSantis graduated from Harvard Law School. Then joining the Navy attending Naval Justice College. Worked as a JAG Officer in Texas. Spec Ops, 07-08 went to IRAQ as a Legal Advisor for the NAVY SEALS, not a SEAL himself. Came back stateside and went down to Guanatamo Bay and worked on a Task Force directly with the Terrorist from 09/11/2001. Came back to Florida after leaving the NAVY. Served as Representative (FL-R), now my Goodness of FLORIDA (R). Left the NAVY as a Lietuetant.
@SueB
“Take care of Americans first”
…so what’s your opinion on Medicare for All?
Take care of Americans first! You bleeding heart DemocRATS are destroying our country. I’m all for our Fla Governor. I’m voting for TRUMP in 2024!
Most immigrants come here to work and are productive, tax paying members of society.
How do you think your family got here?
I think Gov. DeSantis is doing a great job. Since when did being a strong leader make you a “facist”. That seems to be the scream of the left as they work to give away America.
Gov DoShameUs just can’t help himself. What a foolish little man he is…
@Viv
I’m opposed to human trafficking and drug smuggling too.
Do you know how we combat human trafficking and drug smuggling?
We make a pathway to safe, legal immigration so Border Patrol can focus on human trafficking and drug smuggling instead of “keeping our everyone that looks different”. As it stands, legal immigration into the US from Central America takes years (or even decades).
I’m very disappointed to hear the cornerstone of what made America great, but I appreciate your honesty. If you really believe that America would be better without immigrants, let me know and I’ll help you pack your bags.
I mean I really don’t mind people using the toilet in the right of way like in San Francisco. It will rain and wash it away or the city sweepers will sweep it up. Not a big deal. I am a life long democrat and I have taken in hundreds of people who don’t want to work and simply want free food and rent. It’s made my life so enjoyable and fulfilled to serve them. I love serving those who do not want to work or cook or clean up after themselves. I work tirelessly to cook and clean up after them. I live a life of selflessness to serve those who do not care to work. It is my life long goal to be their support system. I provide them with free food, free housing and free recreational activity. I make sure their beds are made so when they come in at night from whatever fredoms they are enjoying, their bed is made proper.
We should all look into serving those who don’t care to work. Ot will be very fulfilling.
@Don Neese
Just keep repeating the same tired catch phrases while the political machine continues to take you for everything you’ve got.
Let’s not pretend that Ron DeSantis cares about human trafficking when he won’t even order Covid vaccines for ages 5 and under. This isn’t about protection, it’s about control.
Is those of you blindly supporting this arrogant, anti-democratic (small ‘d’, don’t get excited folks) can’t figure out what he is up to I feel sorry for you.
DeSantis is a grifting opportunistic politician who thinks he is smarter than trump because he has Ivy League college credentials.
Y’all eat it up because he throws out false narratives that appeal to your inner nature.
It’s sad people hate each other for really stupid reasons.
Did you not read the part about HUMAN TRAFFICKING? Or how about HUMAN SMUGGLING? I’d you want to come to this country, do it legally. Don’t come off with this “give me your tired……crap.
A good bill and I support it. Blaming Biden though is just pandering to all the moronic trumplicans out there. Not needed.
My favorite Florida governor of all time!!! I absolutely love the way he punches back at the stinking globalistic, communistic Democrats!!!
But…..I hope he’s going to turn those few hundred into a few thousand. A little “boot leather” for the socialist side.
“My name’s Ron and I’m running for President”
Saving eight people a month is great, but hardly eliminating a “crises.” And considering human trafficking has been occurring since the founding of this country, i.e. slavery, why is the governor blaming Biden for it’s existence, other to be divisive? Just asking…
Great job keep up the good work. Hope he doesn’t run for president I like him where he is. Those of you who don’t like him move to California.
The problem with comments such as Bob’s, is Bob and other’s have never seen evil face to face. Human trafficking and the sex trade of little children is about as evil as it gets, and here we have a governor making an effort to combat such evil and Bob equates it as stupid and grandstanding. You decide what is stupid.
Thank God Florida officials are trying to stem the tide.We have to do something Biden sure is not.
@Bob
“I keep on thinking “There’s no way Florida can get any stupider”, but then our governor always manages to find new, innovative ways to outdo himself.”
It’s helpful to remember that much of the actions of the governor are self-serving: he’s constantly on the lookout for ways to keep his name in the press and to favorably impress his minions – he’s up for reelection in the Fall and ultimately wants to be president.
“Give me your tired, your poor
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore
Send these the homeless tempest-tost to me”
Those are the words on the Statue of Liberty and the cornerstone of what made our country great. They are the promise that your ancestors invoked to enter this country. It’s a promise that is now being denied to the tens of thousands of people around the world fleeing violence and persecution.
Legal immigration has become an extremely long and expensive process. If you want to legally immigrate to the US from Mexico, it can take decades to get approved for a green card.
We need to reform our country’s immigration policy to allow the people who are genuinely seeking to build a better life into our country and provide them with the tools and resources they need to turn America into their home.
DeSantis wants the opposite. Despite being the child of immigrants, he wants to keep immigrants out of our country (Curiously, not the immigrants from Ukraine, Easter Europe, or Canada. Just the immigrants with darker skin).
YES,,,, You are looking at the next President.
Sick and tired of having people flaunt the laws of our country just because they can.
Its would be like anyone that feels oppressed to just rob a bank to get ahead. Ya you was going to buy a house and new car and better clothes and all. But you broke the law doing it.
Sucks they are coming from corrupt countries but THEY have to make their country better and not run away.
Yes there are a lot of good people that just want better in life, and the process sometimes is a lot of hassle.
But proper documentation and IDENTIFICATION for every person coming here is needed.
What do you suggest, Bob? Keep letting illegals into the country at the tax payers expense? If the immigrant(s) want to be Americans there is a process. A process approved by your far left standing friends. Wake up Bob.
I found the overwhelming effort to smear Biden while promoting this program very tacky being that Republicans had a Super Majority after 2016 and while campaigning on Border Crisis Issues, did absolutely nothing to fix the problem they use for campaigning purposes like they did or didn’t do with every other campaign issue they cried about.
And while DeSantis hasn’t announced that he is running for POTUS in 2024, this smells a lot like he is using the Office of Governor of Florida for campaign purposes.
I love Gov. DeSantis, and I am so proud of the way he fights for our beautiful state! If you sneak into this country, you are a criminal, and need to be deported or put into a small cage! If they want a “better life” as they claim, there are enough of them to get together and make their OWN country better! They are coming because Ole Joe promised, and is giving them, excellent treatment and free living…far better than he is giving our veterans!
Bob all I can say about your comments is that you are definitely a Democrat and what plan do you have to stop the madness of illegals. I think we are blessed to have a governor to cover us with all the protection we can get. Thanks you again governor for protecting our state when the federal government ran by Democrats can’t
Bob, you got that right. DeSantis is a sad, sick man.
searching for a better life hey I get it but must be done the legal way. but to move in my neighborhood and have 8 or so living crammed up I’m a tiny home you drive by and nasty underwear is hanging on the front yard fence is beyond words. and they all hang out in the middle of the street on the side of the road make load noises music etc. then get a dog that lays in the street neighbors are ticked off about the dog infested with fleas and sores. the neighbor hood just don’t feel safe anymore you look out your window they stand there just starring into your home and Accross your property. ( scary )
Fantastic! We need to protect our state since this current administration won’t. We need to make it clear Florida is not the state this administration can dump illegals into, nor will we tolerate smuggling. Every illegal dumped on our state by this administration should be immediately deported under official law. Florida can not be part of facilitating an illegal activity and breaking laws we have on the books. This current administration does not care about laws if it impedes them, but you let a conservative do the same thing and the sky is falling. God bless DeSantis and Florida.
I keep on thinking “There’s no way Florida can get any stupider”, but then our governor always manages to find new, innovative ways to outdo himself.