DeSantis forms 90-sheriff coalition to combat border crisis nationwide.

Law Enforcement Leaders Join Forces to Address Border Crisis

Law enforcement leaders from across the country have come together in an unprecedented alliance, partnering with a Republican governor to tackle the negative impacts of the border crisis head-on.

Ninety sheriffs departments spanning border states and coast to coast have expressed feeling “abandoned” by the Biden administration. They are dealing with issues such as fentanyl seeping over the border, immigrant smuggling, and a surge in violent crime, which they attribute to the end of Trump-era policies.

“We can no longer sit by and watch our nation become overrun by gang activity and drug-related violence,” the sheriffs stated. “As elected law enforcement officers, we must uphold our oaths of office and protect the legal residents of our jurisdictions. While we are committed to upholding the law and maintaining public safety, the federal government has failed in its responsibilities to secure our nation’s borders.”

Leading this alliance is Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL), a front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. Republican political consultants have noted that DeSantis is determined to demonstrate his commitment to tackling crime and border security, potentially outperforming former President Donald Trump in this regard.

“Illegal Immigration has not only ravaged communities along the southern border, it has harmed states across the country with the deadly influx of cartel-trafficked fentanyl and higher rates of violent crime,” DeSantis emphasized. “I’m proud to work with this growing group of law enforcement leaders and bring Florida’s dedicated resources and leadership to bear on this national problem.”

During a recent visit to the Arizona border, DeSantis met with sheriffs to gain firsthand insight into the impact of the record-high number of illegal immigrants encountered under President Joe Biden’s administration. The sheriffs praised DeSantis for his proactive approach, as a governor from a state not directly on the southern border, in supporting Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX) and urging state and local law enforcement to take the issues of illegal immigration and drug smuggling seriously.

“Under the leadership of Gov. Ron DeSantis, Florida has recognized how the porous border has had far-reaching impacts and has stepped in to support public safety,” the sheriffs wrote. “This includes creating a nation-leading human smuggling and drug trafficking strike force in partnership with local sheriffs, lending physical support by deploying members of their national guard, highway patrol, and state law enforcement to the border, and enacting a program to voluntarily transport illegal immigrants to so-called sanctuary jurisdictions across the United States.”

DeSantis has drawn criticism from Democratic politicians in Massachusetts and California for flying immigrants to their states, similar to how Governor Abbott has transported immigrants to major Northern cities.

This spring, the Florida legislature passed a significant anti-illegal immigration bill, which DeSantis signed into law in May.

DeSantis is scheduled to visit Eagle Pass, Texas, on Monday to listen to local residents’ experiences living on the border and gather recommendations for regaining control of the international boundary.

As of now, DeSantis’s office has not provided any details about the coalition’s future plans.

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases