WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Two-hundred-and-fifty additional officers and soldiers and more than a dozen air and seacraft will soon be sent to the southern coast.
That directive came Wednesday from Gov. Ron DeSantis' office to stop the potential influx of immigration from Haiti.
The resources will come from various departments, including the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Florida National Guard.
WPTV contacted those agencies to find out if resources from Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast would be sent to assist.
So far, the FWC said it hasn't yet been notified whether it will be sending officers from the area.
State
DeSantis orders more officers to South Fla., preps for possible Haitian migrants
The regional FHP agency said it is prepared for any directives. However, it has not deployed any assets or personnel at this time.
WPTV is still waiting to hear back from the FDLE and Florida National Guard.
Local lawmakers have also weighed in on the governor's decision.
Florida Rep. Kelly Skidmore, D-Boca Raton, said she finds it a waste of resources.
"Very horrified state resources are being used in this way to prevent people, fleeing chaos and disaster and terror," she said, "and we would put a barrier in their way to safety."
Palm Beach County
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Other lawmakers like Florida Rep. John Snyder, R-Stuart, applauded DeSantis for trying to protect Florida.
"The situation in Haiti is heartbreaking, but those who arrive on our shores must be safely detained and turned over to immigration and customs enforcement for appropriate action," Snyder told WPTV in a statement.
However, Skidmore argues the United States shouldn't be turning Haitians away but rather lending them a hand.
"Use the resources of those officers and instead provide aid," she said. "At least go in and get some kids out of the orphanage or go and get some people out of the hospital or go and help some people. How is this helpful?"
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While Florida Rep. Toby Overdorf, R-Palm City, believes the U.S. should help Haiti, he doesn't think allowing Haitian immigrants into Florida is the answer.
"I would suggest that the best way possible is to help the people of Haiti to establish a stable government and a stationary government there," he said. "As far as the people that are trying to come here, that is their choice to try to do that. We have a broken immigration system and this just goes to further tax that."
In the meantime, on Thursday, the Florida Division of Emergency Management launched a portal to assist Floridians who may be trapped in Haiti. The state said Floridians in Haiti or their family members can fill out the questionnaire on the portal to let the state know of immediate needs by visiting FloridaDisaster.org/Haiti.
