The Florida National Guard was activated, state law enforcement and other agencies were instructed to provide resources to assist local governments in responding to the influx of migrants landing in the Florida Keys, and additional support was provided toward efforts to stop further migrant landings on Florida’s shores.
All of these actions were outlined in Executive Order 23-03, which Governor Ron DeSantis signed on January 6.
Desantis added, “I am activating the National Guard and allocating state resources to help ease the burden on local resources,” after blaming the Biden administration for the issue. We will intervene to protect our neighborhoods if Biden doesn’t uphold his legal obligations.
Maintaining Public Safety
With 194 officers, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office has been devoting the necessary resources to managing the passage of many migrants while also maintaining proper public safety.
In order to support water interdictions and secure the safety of migrants trying to enter Florida through the Florida Straits, the state will send out planes and helicopters from the Florida National Guard as well as increase marine patrol from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
However, this has always required assistance from the federal government and a significant, coordinated effort among state, federal, and local governments. Florida has a long history of assisting refugees, including Cubans and others fleeing communist regimes, find support after they arrive in the United States.
Illegal Immigrants
A total of 45 illegal immigrants entered Key West on January 1 together with around 300 illegal aliens entering Dry Tortugas National Park, which is located about 70 miles to the west of Key West.
The park had to close as a result of the significant influx of illegal immigrants in order to safeguard the security of guests and employees as well as to make room for the illegal immigrants.
More than 8,000 migrants have been spotted by federal, state, and local law enforcement in the seas off the coast of Florida since August 2022.
Related Reports
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk returned 273 migrants to Matanzas, Cuba on January 8 as a result of interceptions off the coast of Florida.
On December 31, about 4 p.m., the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Richard Etheridge informed Sector Key West watchstanders of a migrant chug about 104 miles southwest of Marquesas Keys.
A kind soul alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a migrant chug around 81 miles southwest of Marquesas Keys.
Since the beginning of the federal fiscal year on October 1, 2022, Coast Guard crews have detained 4,795 Cubans.
All migrants get food, drink, shelter, and basic medical care after they board a Coast Guard cutter.
