Exclusive: Florida Commissioner of Agriculture speaks on Trump Act bill

Reporter: Claire Galt Writer: Nicholas Karsen
Published: Updated:
Wilton Simpson. Credit: WINK News

Wilton Simpson, the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture, has become the center of attention between the state’s legislators and the governor.

WINK News Anchor Claire Galt spoke exclusively with Simpson regarding Gov. Ron DeSantis‘ fight to reject the bill and the power he may be granted regarding illegal immigration in Florida if the bill passes.

The Trump Act would hand immigration enforcement power to Simpson, instead of the Govenor.

When asked about how he would handle the state’s immigration policy, Simpson responded, “You will see grants supplied to the department. This will supply beds for the immigrants, granting them housing before deportation. There will also be efforts for law enforcement to co-mingle across county lines, becoming liaisons for the county governments.”

“The department has the infrastructure to be able to do this. We’re already working with all the sheriffs. We’re already working with the federal government. We have many connections. We’re already on the front lines at the interdiction stations. We have 20 something interdiction stations around the state. As you come in the state, we are the first ones that you see when you come in. We are stopping traffic every day, making sure that it’s safe for the state of Florida and our citizens here. The legislature wants a partner that it can trust is going to do this job, as a pure sense of helping President Trump and leaning on President Trump’s policies,” Simpson told Galt.

DeSantis spoke against the Trump Act bill, saying it would undermine the impact of handling undocumented people as the commission is underfunded.

He then continued to mention that passing this legislature would terminate his state of emergency, saying undocumented people would be given too much leniency.

DeSantis is expected to veto this act.

The governor will speak on Monday at the Florida Capitol Building. Check back later to watch the full news conference live.

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