Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, known for his unwavering stance on immigration, held a press conference that underscored his commitment to enforcing federal immigration laws.
The event took a confrontational turn when a reporter from Jacksonville questioned the potential impact of former President Donald Trump's mass deportation policies on Florida's industries.
As reported by Gateway Pundit, the reporter referred to illegal aliens as "undocumented immigrants," a term often used by Democrats and left-wing activists to soften the perception of individuals entering the country without legal permission.
DeSantis promptly corrected the reporter, emphasizing that "undocumented" is not the appropriate term under federal law. "Well, you know, just to beso the federal government has made clear that the statutory termits not undoctheyre illegal aliens. Thats the statutory term," DeSantis asserted. He further elaborated, drawing a distinction between forgetting a document, such as a driver's license, and intentionally violating immigration laws. "This is intentional to come in illegally. Its not just a question of missing a document," he stated, highlighting the deliberate nature of illegal entry, often facilitated by cartels.
The reporter, acknowledging DeSantis's correction, rephrased the question to address the economic implications of deportations on sectors like agriculture, construction, and hospitality. "Florida is home to hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants who areillegal aliens, if you want to call it, who are working in areas of agriculture, farming, construction, hospitality," the reporter noted, seeking clarity on any plans to mitigate potential financial hardships for these industries.
In response, DeSantis referenced previous immigration measures, such as the implementation of E-Verify, which requires employers to confirm the immigration status of new hires. "They made the same arguments on 23 when we did our immigration. Kyan wrote, we did e-verify. When you nowany of those industries, when they hire new people, theyve got to verify their immigration status. Otherwise, they cant work," DeSantis explained. He dismissed concerns about economic disruption, suggesting that the enforcement of immigration laws would not hinder these industries' ability to function.
The exchange highlighted the ongoing debate over immigration terminology and policy, with DeSantis firmly advocating for the use of legally accurate language and the enforcement of existing laws. His stance reflects a broader conservative perspective that prioritizes national sovereignty and the rule of law over narratives that may obscure the legal realities of immigration. As the conversation around immigration continues to evolve, DeSantis's approach underscores the importance of clarity and adherence to statutory definitions in shaping public discourse and policy.
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