PENSACOLA, Fla. — Earlier this month, Arizona and Texas called for help along the southern border, and now Florida is answering that call.
Gov. Ron DeSantis held a send-off for the 50 state personnel from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Florida Highway Patrol that will deal with a "created crisis."
“Florida answered that call. We stepped up, partially because a lot of these states have stepped up to help us in emergency situations. In the past, when we’ve had hurricane response and recovery operations they have been – they didn’t even hesitate many times – anytime we needed help," he said.
Along with the law enforcement presence, Florida will also be sending equipment to be deployed as needed.
DeSantis took the time to thank those heading to the southern border for their willingness to assist. The group of 50 is slated to arrive at their post and start working by Monday.
“Thanks, everybody for stepping up. This is an important mission and we support you 100 percent," the governor said.
DeSantis added that he hopes to make his way to the southern border at some point to wish them well while they work.
Earlier this year, DeSantis blamed President Joe Biden's administration for rolling back border policies that had been in place under former President Donald Trump, including ending a policy that forced asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for immigration hearings in the U.S.
The Biden administration has since begun to process their cases, allowing them in the U.S. while, at the same time, asking others considering coming to the U.S. to stay home.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott sent a joint letter to the nation's governors earlier this month, claiming Biden "has proven unwilling or unable" to secure the U.S.-Mexico border, according to the Arizona Republic. Both cited a 20-year high in migrant encounters in May as evidence of an "open-border disaster," the newspaper reported.
How the deployment of resources to the border will be funded is still up for discussion, according to DeSantis. He adds that Florida does not anticipate receiving any federal funds to assist.
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