TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A sweeping immigration bill in the Florida Legislature passed in both chambers Tuesday evening, sending the proposal to the governor's desk for a decision. 

The House voted to approve the bill, with 82 members voting in support, and 30 voting against the measure.

Republicans in the Florida Senate passed CS/SB 2-B Tuesday evening, with 21 senators voting in support of the measure, and 16 voting against the proposal. 

The bill was passed after an amendment filed by State Sen. Joe Gruters was adopted. The amendment redefined the role the Commissioner of Agriculture would have in working with the federal government on immigration questions.

What You Need To Know

  • A sweeping immigration bill in the Florida Legislature has passed both chambers of the state legislature Tuesday evening

  • Whether Gov. Ron DeSantis will sign the bill, following disagreements with lawmakers, is to be seen

  • The bill would end in-state tuition for undocumented migrants and would also toughen criminal penalties against any undocumented migrant convicted of a crime

The bill calls for:

  • A mandatory death penalty for an undocumented immigrant who is convicted of a capital offense in the state of Florida
    • This would include first-degree murder, trafficking large amounts of drugs, armed kidnapping and home invasion
       
  • Added enforcement, including fines, for public officials who fail to comply with the state law banning sanctuary jurisdiction

  • Financial incentives for law enforcement who assist with Immigration and Customs Enforcement task forces

  • Eliminating in-state tuition for DACA recipients, something that was passed into law back in 2014

Lawmakers in the Florida Capitol spent most of Tuesday at a near standstill.

The chambers stayed empty until the late afternoon, with the governor and legislative leaders still divided on details.

“In short, President Trump is asking for more badges, more detention beds and a laser-focus on catching illegal aliens that violate our law,” State Sen. Joe Gruters, one of the bill’s sponsors, said.

Gov. Ron DeSantis wanted more, while legislative leaders wanted less.

That disagreement forced lawmakers to start the day almost six and a half hours behind yesterday’s planned schedule.

“We have seen a lot of online back-and-forth chatters, dueling statements being released. And it doesn’t seem like Governor DeSantis is letting go. He seems really angry about us finally exhibiting independence as a legislative branch,” State Rep. Anna Eskamani said.

Even the Trump administration chimed in. They made several suggestions, including mandating the death penalty against undocumented migrants convicted of capital crime.

Lawmakers then combed through a new 84-page bill that replaced the old bill on Tuesday.

The special session began after DeSantis called on lawmakers to consider the issue. They gaveled in on Monday and gaveled out — essentially killing all previously filed bills. 

The Senate and House instead launched their own special session, pushing their own immigration package. They are saying their own bill aligns more with President Donald Trump’s immigration orders rather than the governor’s instructions. 

DeSantis responded Monday, saying he was glad that Florida Republicans agreed to hold a special session despite them saying earlier that such a move was premature.

He then listed the problems he has with the current proposed legislation, saying it doesn’t go far enough in furthering, “proposals I outlined and that are necessary to ensure that Florida leads on fulfilling the Trump Administration’s mandate to enforce immigration law and deport illegal aliens.”

DeSantis also responded to the proposal using stronger language Monday afternoon, calling some of the provisions in the bill unconstitutional.

Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton released a statement in response, arguing the governor hadn’t read the text of the bill, also named the TRUMP Act. 

“The Governor did not read President Trump’s Executive Orders before calling a special session. As a matter of fact, they didn’t exist. And, it would appear he didn’t read SB2B/HB 1B before issuing a response on social media. He leveled serious and inappropriate insults at his fellow Cabinet Officer, local law enforcement officers, and our agricultural community,” the two said in a statement released to members of the press.

“The Legislature will not act in a disingenuous or dishonorable way by attacking anyone, especially our law enforcement. Unlike others, the Legislature is not interested in misleading or attacking Floridians, especially Florida law enforcement. Our number one goal is to work together with President Trump. Anyone that says anything otherwise is not reading the bill, not reading the executive orders, or just not telling the truth,” the statement continued.

From the jump, legislative leaders resisted DeSantis’ call for a special session, calling it “premature” and even “irresponsible.”

Perez said in prepared remarks for Special Session 2025-B that the House was canceling the previously scheduled committee meetings for this week to focus exclusively on the special session. 

If DeSantis vetoes the bill, it would go back to legislatures for a second vote. If it wins a two-thirds majority, it would override the governor's vote.

This is a breaking news story. Stay with Spectrum News on-air, online and the Spectrum News app for updates.