Staff Reports
In a show of true leadership, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) has announced that he is sending elements of the Florida National Guard and state law enforcement to assist the state of Texas in their ongoing struggle to secure our southern border. Texas, which makes up the majority of America’s southern border, has been overwhelmed by a surge of illegal immigrants and drugs pouring across our border with Mexico.
What Texas Can Learn From Florida on Dealing With the Border Crisis https://t.co/BOcaeaRPZz
— M Helm (@1Bunny4T) May 18, 2023
Through Governor DeSantis’ Operation Lone Star, National Guardsmen and Highway Patrol troopers have been able to apprehend attempted gotaways and halt the flow of drugs that would have undoubtedly slipped past the overwhelmed Border Patrol. Their efforts have been critical in preventing an even greater surge of illegal immigrants from crossing over the border, particularly following the expiration of Title 42.
Where Texas has fallen short, however, is in the signing of a bill similar to the one recently signed by Governor DeSantis in Florida. His new law, which will take effect this summer, requires that all public and private employers with 25 or more employees use the federal government’s E-verify system to ensure that every worker is legally able to work in the United States. Failure to comply with this law can result in fines and even the loss of a business license.
While Texas did introduce similar legislation in the Texas statehouse (HB 602), it only applies to political subdivisions. Even though Texas did mandate that sexual businesses use E-verify to crack down on human trafficking using illegal immigrant labor, it does not extend to all private businesses. This legislation has been referred to State Affairs.
It is critical that every state takes responsibility for interior enforcement as the federal government fails to do its job. The crisis at our southern border has only been exacerbated by the explosion of the illegal immigrant population, as a result of gotaways, asylum seekers, and the failure of the court system to process these cases. We cannot simply wait for the White House to act. Governor DeSantis’ leadership in deploying elements of the National Guard and state law enforcement is a clear example of the options that states have to address this crisis and protect our citizens.
