Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced a plan to send more than 1,100 National Guard soldiers and law enforcement officers to the state of Texas.
According to the governor, the military corps is broken down into 800 soldiers, 200 state police officers, FDLE, 101 police officers from other state departments, and 20 from the department of fish and wildlife.
They are joined by five aircraft, 17 drones, two command operations vehicles and 10 boats, according to a press release.
Governor DeSantis stated, “At my direction, state agencies, including law enforcement and the Florida National Guard, are deploying to Texas with assets including personnel, boats, and aircraft.”
It is not the first time that DeSantis has sent reinforcements to the southern border of the United States.
Border authorities report decrease in encounters with undocumented immigrants
In 2021, it responded to requests for assistance from the governors of Texas and Arizona, deploying more than 100 law enforcement officers for six weeks.
At the time, he described the situation on the southern border as “a catastrophe under the Biden Administration.”
DeSantis’ office assured that personnel sent to the border will be there for 30 days, with the possibility of extensions if necessary.
The governor, who is likely to announce his candidacy for the 2024 presidential race later this month, has made immigration a central issue since taking office.
Last week he signed into law a law that strengthens his immigrant resettlement program and limits social services for those without permanent legal status, and is intended to address challenges and concerns associated with illegal immigration and strengthen border security, according to his office of communications.
Sending reinforcements to Texas is one more step in what DeSantis has presented as his “commitment” to protect the integrity of the borders and guarantee the safety of citizens.
Border authorities said in recent days that there has been a noticeable decrease in encounters with undocumented immigrants.
