(USA Features) Pledging that “Florida has your back,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday he will assist Texas and Arizona with law enforcement to help deal with the burgeoning migrant crisis along their common borders with Mexico.
DeSantis is the first governor to respond to a call for help from Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, both Republicans, after they sent a letter to various states this week requesting extra law enforcement assistance after they said the Biden administration failed to intervene.
“America’s border security crisis impacts every state and every American,” DeSantis said in a statement. “The Biden Administration ended policies implemented by President Trump that were curbing illegal immigration, securing our border, and keeping Americans safe.”
In their letter, the border state governors said President Joe Biden “has proven unwilling or unable” to commit to policies and resources aimed at stemming the near-historic flow of illegal aliens into the country.
“Border states like Texas and Arizona are ‘ground zero’ for this crisis and bear a disproportionate share of those burdens,” their letter said, adding that “additional manpower is needed from any state that can spare it.”
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection official told the Washington Times the agency would “leverage our longstanding relationships with state and local enforcement,” but deferred to state officials “to speak to any steps they are taking to increase an enforcement posture.”
As for DeSantis, he noted, “I’m proud to announce today that the state of Florida is answering the call. Florida has your back.”
The Florida governor has yet to provide many details, the Times said, adding that Florida personnel would be sent under a state-to-state mutual aid pact.
He did say, however, that he would send personnel from the Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Also, nine county sheriff’s departments announced some of their officers would be included in the Florida contingent.
Abbott and DeSantis are both up for reelection next year.