Florida went through a 2025 marked by special legislative sessions, executive branch announcements and court battles that reached the United States Supreme Court. In this context the Gov. Ron DeSantis was promoted Laws and measures that They tightened immigration policyin line with the position of the Donald Trump administration.
The first major rule of 2025 in Florida was the SB 2-Csigned by DeSantis on February 13, 2025 during a special session of the legislative session. The project was presented as one of the strictest immigration laws in the USA.
This legislation created the State Board of Immigration Enforcementa committee consisting of the governor and members of the cabinet, with which Function of direct coordination of state measures with federal authorities of immigration.
The law also a funding programwith estimated funding between $250 and $300 million, aimed to strengthen cooperation local security forces with federal authorities.
The key points of SB 2-C included:
The standard was based on previous regulatory frameworks, such as SB 1718 approved in 2023, and aimed to: a permanent cooperative program between Florida and the federal government.
On February 13, 2025, DeSantis signed the SB 4-Cwhich quickly became the most controversial provision in the immigration package. This law established that it is a state crime for an undocumented adult to enter or re-enter Florida after evading federal controls or after an earlier deportation.
for one first offensethe expected punishment was a Misdemeanorwhile Recidivism could lead to this more serious crimes.
SB 4-C It also introduced increased penalties for crimes committed by undocumented immigrants and in certain cases made it possible possibility of apply the death penalty for capital crimes.
Aside from that, Eligibility for in-state college tuition for illegal foreign students has been eliminated at public universities; The entry into force is planned for July 1, 2025.
However, The rule was never applied. Organizations including the Florida Immigrant Coalition and the Farmworker Association of Florida filed suit in federal court in Miami using this argument The state law was incompatible with the federal immigration system.
The federal judge Kathleen Williams issued an injunction blocking implementationa decision that was upheld by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.
The conflict escalated Supreme Court of the United States, the On July 9, 2025, he denied Florida’s request to lift the ban.. In a brief, uncontested decision, the highest court left the judicial brake in place, preventing SB 4-C from taking effect while litigation continues.
The third immigration bill signed by Ron DeSantis in 2025 was this SB 830known as Disposition of migrant shipswith an effective date of July 1, 2025.
Unlike the previous ones, this one is standard focused on a specific operational aspect: the ships used for the irregular transport of immigrants.
The law officially defined the term “Migrant ship”: an irregularly built shipwith improvised materials, without official identification and intended for the transfer of undocumented immigrants.
Based on this definition, the norm expanded the powers of the state and security forces to Remove, destroy and dispose of these types of ships found in Florida waters.
The text of the law established detailed procedures for agents to provide notices, grant deadlines, and when required. Proceed to eliminate the vessels.
It also enabled the Use of state and federal fundsincluding resources from the Marine Resources Conservation Trust Fund and the Florida Coastal Protection Trust Fund, to finance removal, storage and destruction tasks.
In addition to the legislation, DeSantis announced February 2025 a series of Letters of Intent between government agencies and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The governor’s order was followed by agencies such as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Florida State Guard eligible to receive training and approval from ICE under the 287(g) program.
According to the official statement, this allows state bodies to take over the functions of immigration officers: From questioning people about their legal status to detaining and turning over immigrants for federal law enforcement.
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