Trump sends "500 migrants a month" to Florida's democratic strongholds

TALLAHASSEE – President Donald Trump's plans to potentially send hundreds of undocumented immigrants every month to the Democratic strongholds of Broward and Palm Beach counties have sparked a flood of criticism from local Florida officials who have qualified the political movement.

"The flagrant policy, sending them to the two most democratic counties in the state of Florida, is ridiculous," said Senator Gary Farmer, a Democrat who represents parts of Broward County. "You can not invent that stuff."

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Broward County officials described the plans in a press release Thursday, saying the Trump administration was planning to release captured asylum seekers along the southern US border into the county. A month earlier, Trump had launched the idea of ​​sending undocumented immigrants to sanctuary towns that limit their cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Neither Palm Beach nor Broward counties fit this description, but politically, they are an enemy territory for Trump and the Republicans.

"It's typically Trump," said Farmer. "When the facts do not match the story, you adjust the story slightly."

Broward County State Representative, Evan Jenne, objected to the decision, but said the county would do what it could to help those fired.

"He's been threatening for some time and I'm confident his constituents will think that's a good idea," said Jenne (D-Dania Beach). "We will do everything in our power to help them, I am sure the federal government will not help them."

Jenne described Trump's policy as "tax punishment," a sentiment shared by other regional officials.

According to a statement from Broward County, Trump "has threatened to send people who cross the border illegally into communities considered welcoming to immigrants."

"It's a humanitarian crisis. We will do everything we can to help these people, "Broward County Mayor Mark Bogen said in the statement. "If the president does not provide us with the necessary financial assistance to house and feed these people, he will create a camp for the homeless."

The Trump administration did not say whether it would send immigrants to the state's most populous county, which is also a liberal stronghold – Miami-Dade, which has the largest population of Spanish-speaking Florida and was born to foreign.

Miami-Dade enjoys significant support for Trump among Cuban-Americans, including Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) And County Mayor Carlos Gimenez, Republican and advocate of politics of detention. President. The mayor's son also lobbied for Trump in previous years.

Kaitlyn Pote, spokeswoman for immigration and border patrols, asked questions to the US Department of Homeland Security, which did not respond to requests for comment.

Rubio said the counties would receive a large influx of undocumented immigrants from the border.

"Illegal arrivals are overwhelming our system," wrote Rubio on Twitter. "Now, I have just been informed by #PalmBeach Sheriff that, starting next week, the Border Patrol will begin to transport 500 migrants a month from the border to #Broward & PalmBeach #Florida, and release them while waiting for a asylum hearing.

Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) Stated that he had addressed the White House and DHS for additional information. He said the Democrats "refuse to help solve" the federal immigration policy.

"There were nearly 99,000 apprehensions on the southern border in April, more than double the number of January apprehensions," said Scott spokesman Chris Hartline. "It's a crisis and we need to fix it."

Bogen, the mayor of Broward, suggested a place to house hundreds of undocumented immigrants: properties owned by Trump.

"In my opinion, the people for whom we can not find shelter and will become homeless, I would suggest that we bring them to Trump hotels and ask the president to open his heart and his home. also, "said Bogen.

During the recently adjourned legislative session in Florida, one of the most controversial issues was legislation banning sanctuary cities. Democrats and immigration activists invaded the Capitol in protest, but the bill was easily passed by the Legislature and backed by Governor Ron DeSantis, a long-time political ally of the United States. Trump.

In a statement after the bill was approved by the Legislature, DeSantis announced that he would sign the proposal.

"We are a stronger state when we protect our residents, promote community safety and respect the work of law enforcement at all levels," he said.

Marc Caputo contributed to this report.