Governor Ron DeSantis Faces Criticism for Spending Millions on Border Security Deployment
TALLAHASSEE, FL — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has come under fire for allocating millions of taxpayer dollars this year to support Texas’ border security initiative, Operation Lone Star. The controversy intensified following reports of inhumane treatment of migrants, including children and pregnant women, by Texas officers.
Allegations of Inhumane Treatment
On July 3, Nicholas Wingate, a medic with the Texas Department of Public Safety, reported disturbing actions taken as part of Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star. According to emails reviewed by the Times/Herald and initially reported by the Houston Chronicle, Wingate described witnessing harrowing incidents, including a 19-year-old pregnant woman suffering a miscarriage after becoming entangled in razor wire, a 4-year-old girl being pushed back into the Rio Grande by soldiers, and a 15-year-old boy breaking his leg due to the wire’s placement.
These measures, intended to deter smuggling, have instead led to severe injuries and heightened medical emergencies, as acknowledged by Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw in a separate email. Despite these reports, Texas officials denied any directive to withhold water or force migrants back into the river.
Florida’s Involvement
Governor DeSantis supported Operation Lone Star by deploying hundreds of Florida Highway Patrol troopers and National Guard personnel to the Texas-Mexico border in June. This deployment, costing $3.3 million, was part of a broader effort by DeSantis to address what he calls President Joe Biden’s “failed” immigration policies. However, it remains unclear whether Florida personnel were involved in the specific directives under investigation in Texas.
DeSantis’ press secretary, Jeremy Redfern, deflected concerns by criticizing Biden’s border policies and highlighting an incident where Florida Highway Patrol assisted in arresting a criminal who allegedly threw a baby into the Rio Grande.
Political Implications
As a presidential candidate, DeSantis has made immigration a cornerstone of his campaign, advocating for states to take action in the absence of federal intervention. During a campaign event in Eagle Pass, Texas, DeSantis unveiled a plan to overhaul the immigration system, including using deadly force against suspected drug traffickers at the border. He also proposed deputizing state and local law enforcement to arrest and deport migrants.
However, the reports of inhumane treatment have cast a shadow over these initiatives. On June 24, just days before DeSantis’ campaign event, Wingate reported orders to push migrants, including small children and nursing babies, back into the river. This directive raised serious ethical and humanitarian concerns, particularly with the potential for exhausted individuals to drown.
Financial and Ethical Concerns
Governor DeSantis has spent over $15.2 million this year to address illegal migration at the Texas border and in South Florida. This spending comes from a $500 million Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund approved by the Florida Legislature, intended to give the governor access to funds during declared emergencies. Typically, states that receive assistance are expected to reimburse the aiding state, but Texas requested that assisting states absorb the associated costs.
The financial burden, combined with the ethical questions surrounding the treatment of migrants, has prompted criticism from various quarters. Critics argue that these funds could be better spent addressing issues within Florida, rather than supporting controversial border security measures in another state.
DeSantis and His Obsession With Using Immigrants As Political Fodder
Governor Ron DeSantis’ decision to deploy Florida Highway Patrol troopers and National Guard personnel to support Texas’ border security has sparked a significant controversy. Allegations of inhumane treatment of migrants and the substantial financial cost have raised questions about the priorities and ethics of such an initiative. As DeSantis continues to campaign on a platform of strict immigration enforcement, the fallout from these reports may influence public perception and political discourse in the coming months.
South Florida Media Comments