Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said reports showed his state is experiencing economic growth despite protests that a state law loosening its welcome toward illegal immigrants is counterproductive. In response, he denounced “false media reports” about illegal immigration.
DeSantis responded to the paper's report on Tuesday. washington examiner About Florida's positive economic outcomes. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Florida will see gross domestic product grow by 3.2% from the first quarter of 2024 to the second quarter of 2024, and from October 2023 to October 2024, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 133,000 jobs were added.
“Florida's best-in-the-nation law to combat illegal immigration has generated a classic series of false media reports,” DeSantis wrote in X. “The outburst of such coverage shows that good policy pays dividends. The goal should rather be to downplay illegal immigration.” As is common across the United States, more Rather than encouraging illegal immigration. ”
Mr. DeSantis referenced the rhetoric from Democrats and some in the media that getting tough on illegal immigrants would only hurt Florida's economy by preventing them from filling necessary jobs that Americans don't want to do. It contained dire predictions.
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks about the Toll Highway Relief Program during a press conference at the Greater Miami Highway Authority on April 1, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Joe Radle/Getty Images, File)
Mr. DeSantis signed legislation in May 2023 that includes provisions requiring hospitals to collect and submit data on the cost of providing care to undocumented immigrants. This means hospitals must ask patients about their immigration status.
DeSantis told “Hannity” in June that the law was tied to lower Medicaid spending.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis attends the drivers meeting ahead of the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 19, 2024 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images, File)
“We started asking patients about their immigration status every time they came into the hospital, and as a result, Medicaid spending plummeted by 50 percent,” he said.
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At the time, DeSantis pointed to data from May showing the amount spent on Florida's emergency medical assistance program fell by more than 50% from fiscal year 2023 to fiscal year 24, to $67 million.
Patients are not forced to respond, but activists warned it could have a chilling effect on migrants seeking medical care. Under federal law, illegal immigrants are not eligible for Medicaid, but states are required to provide care in emergencies.
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The bill DeSantis signed also included other provisions aimed at making Florida less welcoming to illegal immigrants. These include mandating electronic identification, banning NGOs and local governments from issuing IDs to illegal immigrants, suspending licenses for employers who employ illegal immigrants, and moving illegal immigrants into “sanctuary” jurisdictions. This includes additional funding for transportation programs.
Fox News Digital's Adam Shaw contributed to this report.
