Gov. Ron DeSantis says he will veto an immigration bill passed by lawmakers that he says doesn't go far enough and will actually hamstring state and local law enforcement officers on immigration enforcement duties.

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.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis promised to veto an immigration bill on Wednesday in the latest escalation of a statehouse showdown with Republican legislative leaders over whose proposals would best carry out President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown.

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

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday he plans to veto a so-called watered-down immigration bill passed by state Republican lawmakers.

Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature late Tuesday passed a plan that includes boosting criminal penalties for undocumented immigrants, ending in-state tuition rates for undocumented-immigrant students and creating a state “chief immigration officer.

"For the 2026 cycle, the FFF will ... support strong conservative candidates in legislative primaries," DeSantis said.

DeSantis said that the Legislature’s bill “fails to honor our promises to voters, fails to meet the moment, and would actually weaken state immigration enforcement.”