Florida Governor and 2024 GOP Presidential candidate Ron DeSantis released a four-part border security plan entitled “No Excuses” to counter GOP front-runner Donald J. Trump’s immigration plan.
DeSantis’ plan largely mirrors Trump’s in policy but promises to implement it more efficiently. The ongoing unlawful migration crisis is a key issue for Republican presidential primary voters.
The plan, published on DeSantis’ 2024 website, starts by blasting incumbent President Joe Biden, blaming the administration for drug deaths, stagnant wages, and record-setting unlawful border crossings. It alleges Biden’s handling of the border crisis has been inhumane.
“Make no mistake: Joe Biden’s administration has made the most inhumane policy choice possible on the border. Dangling jobs to migrants as a reward here in the United States, so long as they are willing to bring an unrelated minor child along with them, should be something out of a dystopian novel. But it’s happening right here, right now, and it’s time for us to stop it.”
The plan’s first point is entitled “Stop the Invasion” and focuses on securing the U.S.-Mexico border. It outlines a strict legal and enforcement regime aimed at cutting off the flow of unlawful migrants across and between ports of entry.
Highlights from this section include a pledge to reinstate the remain in Mexico policy, end catch and release, end birthright citizenship for children of unlawful migrants, strengthen E-verify processes, and increase criminal penalties for human traffickers.
The plan’s second point is entitled “Build the Wall” and focuses on completing border fortifications that former President Trump started constructing during his term from 2017-2021. DeSantis pledges to utilize the U.S. military to bolster Border Patrol, use executive branch finances to construct 600 additional miles of border wall, and install fiber optic sensors to detect unlawful border crossings and drug trafficking.
The plan’s third point, “Hold Cartels Accountable,” outlines measures to combat narco-terrorism organizations operating along the U.S.-Mexico border and within Mexico. The proposal advocates escalating the U.S. response to cartels, supporting military action against the organizations.
Highlights from this section include a plan to declare drug cartels transnational criminal organizations, authorize the use of force against cartel traffickers, and empower the Navy and Coast Guard to blockade Mexican ports to stop the importation of chemicals that are precursors to drug production.
The “No Excuses” plan concludes with a section entitled “Work With States to Enforce the Law.” This portion is short but pledges to penalize sanctuary cities, remove unlawful migrants from census apportionment, and reimburse states like Texas, which have allocated state funding to secure their borders.
Former President Trump responded to the plan on Truth Social, highlighting his successes in reducing unlawful migration during his presidency and pledging to replicate his efforts in a new term.
“I built hundreds of miles of Border Wall, got Mexico to give us, FREE, thousands of soldiers to stand guard at our Border (and much more!), and created the strongest and safest Southern Border in U.S. History. I will do it again, and quickly! Also, I will get the many bad ones out of our Country, FAST!”