Florida governor sends additional law enforcement to Texas border

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis bid farewell to over a hundred members of the Florida National Guard and highway patrol as the troops head to Texas’ southern border Friday.

“This is part of a years-long effort for us to help do what the federal government has refused to do,” he said in a press conference.

DeSantis repeatedly thanked the agents, who will join 90 members of Florida law enforcement already at the border. He said many of the troops volunteered for the trip and have participated in multiple deployments to Texas, which can vary in length.

DeSantis also criticized the federal government’s lack of attempt to control the “astronomical” influx of migrants Texas has seen in recent years. He pledged that Florida “will continue to step up where the federal government has failed.”

He then professed support for Gov. Greg Abbott’s defense efforts. He said Abbott’s $10 billion border mission Operation Lone Star has been successful, partly because of collaboration and support from other states.

“We want to be a part of that,” he said, “partially just because we should have a secure country, and partially, the effects of this border invasion go to all 50 states.”

Over a dozen states have sent troops to the Texas border, including Arkansas, Oklahoma and West Virginia. Earlier this week, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem announced the state would be sending 60 troops to the southern border over the next three months.

In January, 25 of the 27 Republican governors signed a statement in support of Abbott’s policies. “Texas has every legal justification to protect the sovereignty of our states and our nation,” it reads.

Florida first supplied troops to Texas and Arizona in 2021, after a letter from Abbott and former Arizona governor Doug Ducey. Since then, the state has supplied over 2,400 law enforcement officers to the border. This round of reinforcements was announced on Feb. 1.

“We don’t have a country if we don’t have a border,” DeSantis said in the release. Days later, Abbott hosted 13 governors in Eagle Pass, but DeSantis did not attend. The use of troops is ultimately up to Texas law enforcement, but the release details that they will help with constructing barriers like razor wire.

“We think this is an American issue,” he concluded. “We’re going to continue to be in this fight until the problem is solved.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.