Florida lawmakers introduced the “Tackling and Reforming Unlawful Migration Policy” (TRUMP) bill on Monday, a sweeping immigration reform package that consolidates enforcement authority under the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). The legislation, uoutlined during a special session convened independently of Gov. Ron DeSantis, is an attempt by legislative leaders to address illegal immigration while asserting a more centralized, legally defensible framework.

The bill, filed by Sen. Joe Gruters, emerged after Senate President Ben Albritton and House Speaker Daniel Perez rejected DeSantis’ January proposals as “overly broad” and constitutionally questionable. The governor had called for an expansion of state enforcement of federal immigration laws, enhancements to the Unauthorized Alien Transport Program, and the creation of a system to track international money transfers. Legislative leaders opted instead to draft the TRUMP bill, which they argue aligns more closely with federal immigration policies championed by President Donald Trump.

Here’s a breakdown of what the bill entails:

Chief Immigration Officer

• The TRUMP bill designates the Commissioner of Agriculture as Florida’s Chief Immigration Officer, tasked with overseeing the state’s immigration efforts. The position includes responsibilities such as monitoring detention bed capacity, coordinating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and issuing emergency declarations related to immigration crises.
• The Chief Immigration Officer also acts as the state’s liaison to federal immigration authorities and has authority to deploy resources like the Florida National Guard to address issues stemming from illegal immigration. Critics, including DeSantis, have called this transfer of authority from the executive branch to FDACS a weakening of enforcement efforts.

Office of State Immigration Enforcement

• The bill establishes a new Office of State Immigration Enforcement within FDACS to handle key functions related to immigration enforcement.
• The office will manage state-funded programs like the Unauthorized Alien Transport Program, which relocates undocumented migrants to other jurisdictions. It will also conduct audits of employers to ensure compliance with hiring laws and provide grants to local law enforcement agencies for training, equipment, and detention bed expansion.

Mandatory E-Verify and Employer Accountability

• The legislation strengthens employment verification requirements by mandating that all Florida employers use E-Verify to confirm the legal status of new hires.
• Employers who fail to comply face fines of $1,000 per day, with repeated violations potentially resulting in the suspension or revocation of their business licenses. Businesses using E-Verify are granted legal protections if errors in the system result in accidental noncompliance.

State Immigration Enforcement Council

• The bill establishes the State Immigration Enforcement Council, composed of seven sheriffs, four police chiefs, and state officials, to provide recommendations on improving immigration enforcement.
• The council’s duties include advising the Chief Immigration Officer on expanding detention capacity, enhancing coordination with federal agencies, and allocating state resources to support local law enforcement efforts.

Hospital Reporting Requirements

• Hospitals accepting Medicaid funds will be required to ask patients about their immigration status and report quarterly on the costs associated with treating undocumented individuals.
• Admission forms must include questions about whether a patient is a U.S. citizen, lawfully present, unlawfully present, or prefers not to answer. The collected data will be submitted to the state to quantify the financial burden of illegal immigration on Florida’s healthcare system.
• Proponents of the measure argue it will provide transparency and inform policymaking, while critics warn it could deter undocumented individuals from seeking necessary medical care.

Criminal Penalties and Pretrial Requirements

• The TRUMP bill introduces stricter penalties for immigration-related offenses.
• Undocumented individuals who vote or anyone who aids them in doing so would face felony charges. Additionally, crimes committed by individuals who unlawfully reenter the U.S. after a prior removal will be reclassified to higher felony levels. Judges are also required to consider a defendant’s immigration status when determining pretrial release conditions.

Funding Provisions

• The legislation authorizes more than $500 million in funding for its initiatives.
• The state will allocate $20.56 million annually for the operational costs of the new Office of State Immigration Enforcement, with an additional $484.47 million in one-time funding to expand detention facilities, provide grants to law enforcement, and cover administrative costs.