As President-elect Donald Trump prepares an unprecedented wave of immigration enforcement measures for his first days in office, conservative leaders across America are facing a crucial decision. They can either stand on the sidelines, or take decisive action to support the incoming administration’s agenda.

And the stakes couldn’t be higher. With estimates suggesting over 11 million illegal immigrants currently residing in the United States, the Joe Biden administration’s border policies have left state governments struggling to maintain order and protect their citizens’ interests.

Let’s be honest – for many conservative leaders, the choice between action and hesitation will define their legacy in this historic moment. But one governor isn’t waiting to pick a side.

DeSantis Steps Up

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced on Monday that he’s calling state lawmakers into an emergency special session beginning January 27th. This is just seven days after Trump’s inauguration. DeSantis is doing this to ensure that Florida stands ready to support the new president’s immigration enforcement priorities from day one.

“State and local officials in Florida must help the Trump administration enforce our nation’s immigration laws,” DeSantis declared during a press conference, laying out a comprehensive plan to mobilize state resources. “We don’t have time to waste.”

The governor’s bold move includes provisions to suspend elected officials who obstruct immigration enforcement, allocate tens of millions in state funding for detention facilities, and eliminate what he called “lingering incentives” for illegal immigration. This includes in-state college tuition rates for undocumented students.

Think about that for a moment: During recent hurricane recovery efforts, “45 looters were arrested in Pinellas County, and 40 of them were in this country illegally,” DeSantis revealed.

“Those people need to be sent back immediately,” he added.

Some Republicans Resist

However, the governor’s aggressive timeline has sparked resistance even within his own party. In a striking show of independence, Republican legislative leaders pushed back against the special session’s timing, calling it “premature” and “completely irresponsible.”

Senate President Ben Albritton and House Speaker Danny Perez released a joint statement on Monday afternoon asserting that while they strongly support Trump’s immigration agenda, moving ahead without specific guidance from the incoming administration could “potentially impair or impede the success of President Trump’s forthcoming efforts.”

Sound familiar to anyone who’s watched establishment Republicans drag their feet on immigration before? The legislative leaders’ resistance marks a significant departure from previous years, when Florida lawmakers generally worked in lockstep with DeSantis’s priorities. However, the governor appears undeterred by the pushback.

“If those duties are clear in law, I have the authority to suspend them from their office if they are neglecting their duties,” DeSantis stated firmly, referencing his constitutional power to remove officials who fail to enforce the law. “That is an authority that I have invoked when it’s been appropriate in the past.”

Local law enforcement leaders have shown more enthusiasm for the governor’s proposals. Several Florida sheriffs have already expressed eagerness to assist federal immigration enforcement. They’ve requested only additional funding to support expanded operations.

Democrats Fire Back

Meanwhile, state Democrats have criticized the special session as a political stunt. Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried argued that the governor should instead focus on addressing the state’s property insurance crisis and rising cost of living.

For conservative voters watching the immigration crisis unfold, however, DeSantis’s proactive stance represents exactly the kind of decisive leadership needed to restore law and order. As President-elect Trump prepares to take office with promises of swift action on immigration, Florida’s governor has made clear his state won’t be caught flat-footed.

The special session announcement sends an unmistakable message. When it comes to supporting Trump’s immigration agenda, some leaders are willing to act first and face the political consequences later. For millions of conservatives concerned about border security, that’s exactly the kind of backbone they’ve been waiting to see.

Key Takeaways: 

• DeSantis calls an emergency session to support Trump’s immigration agenda, threatening to remove officials who obstruct enforcement.
• Republican legislative leaders push back, calling the move premature despite supporting Trump’s broader goals.
• Florida could become the first state to actively prepare for Trump’s day-one immigration priorities.
• The plan includes removing in-state tuition benefits and empowering local law enforcement.

Sources: Daily Wire, Axios, CBS News, Politico, The Associated Press