Defending State Sovereignty: DeSantis Sends Florida Troops to Texas

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced today that the state is dispatching members of the Florida National Guard (FLNG) and the Florida State Guard (FSG) to aid Texas in its efforts to address the Biden Crisis at the southern border in direct defiance of the Federal Government. Florida is extending support by offering up to a battalion of National Guard members, approximately 1,000 soldiers, who will be deployed according to the specific needs identified by Texas. 

According to information released by the Florida Governor, these deployments complement the ongoing commitment of over 90 officers from the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) who are currently stationed at the border. Additional law enforcement resources remain on standby, ready to be deployed upon the request of Texas state officials. In December, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data indicated a record-breaking encounter with over 302,000 illegal immigrants attempting to cross the southern border.

Governor Ron DeSantis emphasized the right of states to defend their sovereignty, expressing satisfaction in enhancing support to Texas as it addresses the border situation. "Our reinforcements will assist Texas in implementing additional barriers, including the deployment of razor wire along the border. We recognize the importance of securing our borders for the preservation of our nation," said Governor DeSantis.

Major General John D. Haas, The Adjutant General of Florida, affirmed the familiarity of Florida's involvement in border security missions, citing previous support provided to both federal and state operations in Texas. "The Florida National Guard has a history of actively engaging in border security missions. We have consistently supported initiatives such as Operation Lone Star in Texas and have readily responded to similar roles within our own state," said Major General Haas.

Mark Thieme, Director of the Florida State Guard, expressed the preparedness of the State Guard to collaborate closely with state agency partners in direct support of Texas. "The Florida State Guard stands ready to provide rapid emergency response, engage in public safety operations, and offer humanitarian assistance wherever the need arises," Thieme remarked.

Since 2021, Florida has been actively involved in providing law enforcement and military assistance to Texas. The Florida National Guard, in particular, has contributed to various mission sets, including static observation points, roving patrols, and engineer assistance for obstacle improvement. The Florida Highway Patrol reported significant numbers, making contact with nearly 150,000 illegal aliens, conducting over 27,000 traffic stops, and resulting in numerous arrests related to human smuggling and trafficking.

FDLE has sent rotations of officers to assist the Texas Department of Public Safety, focusing on arresting violent felony suspects, including gang members. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has deployed personnel and vehicles, including patrol trucks and vessels, to support border operations.

CBP statistics for Fiscal Year 2023 indicate a record 2.5 million encounters, surpassing the previous year's figures. Among these encounters, 169 individuals on the terror watch list were attempting to cross the southern border. Since President Biden assumed office, over 10 million illegal immigrants have crossed the border, with more than 1.7 million known "gotaways." December alone witnessed the seizure of approximately 260 million lethal doses of fentanyl at the border.