Florida lawmakers have passed a far-reaching immigration bill, dedicating half a billion dollars in public funds to bolster enforcement efforts in line with President Donald Trump’s crackdown on undocumented immigrants.

The legislation, titled the Tackling and Reforming Unlawful Migration Policy (TRUMP) Act, mandates full cooperation between state and local governments, as well as government contractors, with federal immigration authorities. Despite opposition from Democrats and some Republicans, the bill passed largely along party lines after over four hours of deliberation.

The bill establishes a new state immigration enforcement office with over 140 employees under the direction of a newly appointed chief immigration officer, a position to be held by the state's commissioner of agriculture. It also transfers emergency immigration enforcement powers from the governor to the state immigration officer.

The bill allocates $100 million for grants to local law enforcement agencies for training, equipment, and reimbursement for leasing detention facilities to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). An additional $375 million is designated to fund the state's cooperation with the federal government, including efforts related to a program that deputizes local law enforcement for duties typically performed by ICE agents. The bill also sets aside $25 million to provide $1,000 bonuses to local law enforcement officers who cooperate with the federal government.

The bill enhances penalties for crimes committed by undocumented immigrants and mandates the death penalty for those convicted of capital offenses.

A decade-old law allowing undocumented Florida students to qualify for in-state tuition at public colleges and universities will be repealed, affecting approximately 6,500 students in the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

The passage of the TRUMP Act sets up a potential showdown between Republican Governor Ron DeSantis and state legislative leaders. DeSantis has criticized the measure as “weak,” and several of his proposed provisions—such as restrictions on remittances sent abroad by undocumented immigrants and automatic flight-risk designations—were excluded.

In a surprising rebuke to DeSantis, Republican lawmakers crafted the bill in consultation with the Trump administration. “We requested and received technical assistance from the Trump administration,” said Senate President Ben Albritton and House Speaker Daniel Perez ahead of the final vote.

Despite GOP control, the bill fell short of a veto-proof majority, with one Republican in the House and six in the Senate voting against it.

Lawmakers advanced the 80-page bill through a special legislative session, limiting public engagement in the process. Critics argue that the rushed timeline prevented proper scrutiny and debate over the sweeping changes.

As the bill heads to DeSantis’ desk for approval, Florida remains at the center of the national debate over immigration policy, with significant legal and social implications for its immigrant population. (ILKHA)