Yes, DeSantis Did Direct Florida Law Enforcement to Help Federal Immigration Authorities — Here's What the Order Actually Says

Governor Ron DeSantis did direct Florida state and local law enforcement to assist federal immigration authorities. On January 20, 2025 — the same day as President Trump's inauguration — DeSantis signed Executive Order 25-02, which formally required the Florida Highway Patrol, municipal police departments, and county sheriffs to cooperate with and support federal immigration enforcement operations.

The order is not vague or symbolic. According to the Governor's own office, it carries legal weight across Florida's entire law enforcement apparatus. The Miami Herald reported that it includes participation in joint operations with ICE, meaning Florida officers can work alongside federal agents during immigration enforcement actions.

The Associated Press noted that the move made Florida one of the first states to formally align its law enforcement with the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. The Tampa Bay Times confirmed the timing was deliberate — signing on Inauguration Day sent a clear political signal of coordination with the new federal agenda.

To be fair to the strongest version of any skepticism: some critics have questioned how consistently the order will be enforced across Florida's many independent local agencies. Sheriffs are elected officials and retain some discretion. But the directive itself is real, documented, and unambiguous in its language.

This story spread fast because immigration is one of the most polarizing issues in American politics. Supporters framed it as smart, necessary cooperation with federal law. Critics called it government overreach that could harm immigrant communities. Both sides had strong incentive to share it — which is exactly when it pays to go back to the primary source, which in this case fully confirms the claim.