[elfsight_social_share_buttons id=”1″]

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is backing some of the toughest immigration legislation of this decade.

State Senate Bill 1718 makes it a felony to shelter, hide, or transport illegal immigrants within the state. It also requires hospitals to check immigration status and report violations to authorities. Finally, it invalidates driver’s licenses granted to unauthorized immigrants by Democrat-led states.

DeSantis has previously said the Sunshine State is not a sanctuary city, and that open border policies cost Floridians $313 million during the 2020 fiscal year. 

The governor has come under fire for previous policies like sending migrants to Martha’s Vineyard last year. Critics have decried the proposed bill as extreme.

The governor, meanwhile, is unapologetic about Florida’s stances.

The Senate Bill is expected to quickly pass both chambers of the Florida Legislature. DeSantis is expected to sign it into law right before launching his rumored 2024 presidential campaign.