On Thursday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) declared the deployment of National Guard members to Texas, aiming to provide support in addressing the surge of migrant border crossings. The move follows Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s assertion of an invasion at the southern border. DeSantis specified the dispatch of Florida National Guard and Florida State Guard members to aid Texas in its efforts to curb the border influx, offering up to 1,000 National Guard members based on the needs articulated by Texas.
In a released statement, Governor DeSantis emphasized the right of states to defend their sovereignty, expressing satisfaction in escalating support for Texas against the perceived invasion. He underscored the importance of securing the border for the preservation of the country. The reinforcement from Florida aims to assist Texas in fortifying its border, including the installation of razor wire barriers.
Governor Abbott had reinforced his invasion declaration following a Supreme Court ruling allowing U.S. Border Patrol agents to remove razor wire installed by Texas law enforcement. This stance received backing from DeSantis and several other Republican governors who expressed full support for Abbott’s actions, especially after the Texas National Guard seemingly disregarded the Supreme Court ruling.
Notably, this is not the first instance of Florida extending support to the southern border. Last year, Governor DeSantis announced the deployment of troops and personnel from state agencies to Texas, characterizing the assistance as a defense measure. The Thursday announcement highlighted Florida’s consistent provision of direct law enforcement and military aid to Texas since 2021.
Coinciding with these developments, the Florida Legislature is considering a bill, H.B. 1551, which seeks to eliminate the exclusive use of the Florida State Guard within the state. Additionally, it proposes granting Governor DeSantis the authority to activate the Florida State Guard whenever deemed necessary, potentially expanding the state’s involvement beyond its borders.