Florida lawmakers defied DeSantis and approved their own version of sweeping immigration reforms amid a GOP power struggle.

The veto pledge capped a dramatic few days in which Republican legislators publicly criticized Gov. Ron DeSantis and portrayed themselves as truer allies of President Trump.

The governor plans to use his Florida Freedom Fund, which was key in defeating marijuana and abortion measures last year, to support strong conservative candidates against defiant legislators.

Flanked by Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, Gov. Ron DeSantis said the bill would deter local law enforcement from deporting undocumented immigrants.

The Tampa Bay Times e-Newspaper is a digital replica of the printed paper seven days a week that is available to read on desktop, mobile, and our app for subscribers only. To enjoy the e-Newspaper every day, please subscribe.

Governor Ron DeSantis held a series of roundtable discussions on Wednesday with law enforcement officials and Floridians impacted by illegal immigration, emphasizing the urgent need for robust state legislation to address the ongoing immigration crisis.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis promised Wednesday to veto a sweeping immigration bill, in the latest escalation of a statehouse showdown between the governor and the state's Republican legislative leadership, who have sparred over whose proposals would best carry out President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.

A day after the Florida Republican-controlled Legislature rebuked Ron DeSantis by passing an immigration bill called the TRUMP Act that ignored some of the governor’s priorities, the governor took to the road to blast the measure once again on Wednesday,

DeSantis has hinted that he would veto the Tracking and Reforming Unlawful Migration Policy Act should it ever get to his desk.

DeSantis floated Florida as a logical launching pad for the removal of people in the country illegally earlier this week.

Florida lawmakers are in Tallahassee on Monday for a special session called by Gov. Ron DeSantis to address illegal immigration.

Creating crimes for "aiding" undocumented immigrants, making university more expensive, forcing police departments to be trained by ICE are among Gov. Ron DeSantis' priorities, as outlined in draft legislation for this week's special legislative session obtained by WLRN.