Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is reportedly now seeking approval from President Donald Trump to allow members of the National Guard to serve as immigration judges.
During a recent press conference, DeSantis stated that if the proposal is approved by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Florida would quickly mobilize its resources to handle immigration cases more efficiently.
DeSantis’s initiative is part of a broader effort, named Operation Tidal Wave, which aims to apprehend immigrants without legal status in Florida.
This operation involves collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to enhance immigration enforcement in the state.
The governor argues that the National Guard can assist in all aspects of immigration enforcement, from apprehension to adjudication.
He emphasized that the proposed judges would not be federal judges but rather Judge Advocate Generals from the National Guard, who are already trained for legal roles.
DeSantis dismissed concerns regarding due process, claiming that many individuals in Florida have already received final removal orders and have not complied.
Critics, including immigrant rights advocates, have raised alarms about the potential violation of constitutional rights and due process protections.
They argue that all individuals, regardless of their immigration status, are entitled to fair legal proceedings.
Adriana Rivera from the Florida Immigrant Coalition highlighted that due process is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and should not be undermined.
This proposal comes at a time when immigration courts are overwhelmed, with a backlog of over 3.7 million cases. DeSantis’s plan, if implemented, could expedite deportation processes but is likely to face legal challenges and significant opposition from advocacy groups.
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