TALLAHASSEE — President Donald Trump plans to send potentially hundreds of undocumented immigrants each month to the Democratic strongholds of Broward and Palm Beach counties, igniting a torrent of criticism from local officials who called the move political.
“The blatant politics, sending them to the two most Democratic Counties in the state of Florida, is ridiculous,” said state Sen.
Gary Farmer, a Democrat who represents portions of Broward County. “You can’t make this stuff up.”The decision was announced on Thursday, a month after Trump floated the idea of shipping undocumented immigrants to sanctuary cities that limit their cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Neither Palm Beach nor Broward counties fit that description, but politically they’re enemy territory for Trump and Republicans.
“That is so typically Trump,” Farmer said. “When the facts don’t fit the narrative, you slightly adjust the narrative.”
Broward County state Rep. Evan Jenne, opposed the move but said the county will do what it can to help those sent its way.
“He has been threatening this for a while, and I’m sure his voters will think it’s a great idea,” said Jenne (D-Dania Beach). “We will do what we can to help them, I’m sure with no help from the federal government.”
Jenne called the Trump policy a form of “fiscal punishment,” a sentiment shared by other regional officials.
A statement from Broward County said Trump “has threatened to send people who illegally cross the border to communities that are considered immigrant friendly.”
“This is a humanitarian crisis. We will do everything possible to help these people,” Broward County Mayor Mark Bogen, a Democrat, said in the statement. “If the President will not provide us with financial assistance to house and feed these people, he will be creating a homeless encampment.”
Immigration and Border Patrol spokesperson Kaitlyn Pote referred questions to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which did not respond to requests for comment.
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said the counties will be getting a big influx of undocumented immigrants from the border.
“Unlawful arrivals are overwhelming our system,” Rubio wrote on Twitter. “Now I have just been informed by #PalmBeach Sheriff that starting next week Border Patrol will begin transporting 500 migrants a month from border to #Broward & PalmBeach #Florida, & releasing them pending an asylum hearing.”
Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), said he has reached out to the White House and DHS to get additional information. He said Democrats “refuse to help fix” the federal immigration policy.
“There were almost 99,000 apprehensions at the southern border in April, more than double the number of apprehensions in January,” Scott spokesperson Chris Hartline said. “It’s a crisis and needs to be fixed.”
Bogen, the Broward mayor, suggested a place to house the hundreds of undocumented immigrants: Trump-owned properties.
“In my opinion, the people that we can’t find shelter for and will become homeless, I would suggest that we bring them to the Trump hotels and ask the President to open his heart and home as well,” Bogen said.
During Florida’s recently-adjourned legislative session, one of the most divisive issues was legislation outlawing sanctuary cities. Democrats and immigration activists flooded the Capitol in protest, but the bill easily passed the Legislature and is supported by Gov. Ron DeSantis, a longtime Trump political ally.
In a statement after the bill cleared the Legislature, DeSantis said he would sign the proposal.
“We are a stronger state when we protect our residents, foster safer communities and respect the work of law enforcement at every level,” he said.
Article originally published on POLITICO Magazine