New Florida Laws Aim to Keep Illegal Immigrants Off Roads, Deported Felons Off Streets

Gov. Ron DeSantis signs bills to tighten ID requirements, send repeat unlicensed drivers to prison, make it a felony for the deported to be in Florida.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs a bill making it a felony to be in Florida after being deported with (L-to-R) Nikki Jones (in pink) and her daughters, Rep. Kiyan Michael (in blue), Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez (in gray), Attorney General Ashley Moody (light blue) before a background of deputies at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in Winter Haven, Fla., on March 15, 2024. John Haughey/The Epoch Times

WINTER HAVEN, Fla.—Florida lawmakers have adopted some of the most restrictive illegal immigration laws in the nation in recent years and continued to do so in 2024 by approving measures that tighten identification requirements, punish repeat unlicensed driving with prison, and make being in Florida after being deported a felony.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bills—which take immediate effect—on March 15, during an hour-long conference at Polk County Sheriff’s Office in Winter Haven.