Ron DeSantis Shuts Down Reporter Using Liberal Terminology for Illegal Aliens [WATCH]

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis held a press conference on Friday where he engaged in a heated exchange with a reporter over terminology related to immigration.

The interaction highlighted DeSantis’s firm stance on immigration policy and his insistence on the use of legally accurate language when discussing individuals who have entered the country unlawfully.

During the press conference, held in Jacksonville, a reporter posed a question concerning the potential impact of mass deportations on Florida industries such as agriculture, construction, and hospitality.

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However, the reporter’s use of the term “undocumented immigrants” immediately drew a response from DeSantis, who criticized the term as misleading and inaccurate under federal law.

DeSantis emphasized that the legal term is “illegal aliens,” as defined by federal statutes.

He argued that the phrase “undocumented immigrants” minimizes the legal violation of entering the country without authorization.

The conversation unfolded as follows:

Reporter: “Florida is home to hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants who are working in areas of…”

Ron DeSantis: “Well, you know, just to be—so the federal government has made clear that the statutory term—it’s not undoc—they’re illegal aliens. That’s the statutory term. That’s what it is. And I think it’s to try to water down. I mean, like, undocumented, it’s like if I get in my car and I forget my wallet, OK, I don’t have my document on me like my driver’s license.

But, I mean, I still have a right to drive. I just may have made a mistake. This is intentional to come in illegally. It’s not just a question of missing a document. It’s a question of, you know, you violated the law that were very clear and knowingly and with the help of the cartels in many cases.”

The reporter, adjusting his language, then rephrased his question:

Reporter: “I’ll rephrase that. So, Florida is home to hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants who are—illegal aliens, if you want to call it, who are working in areas of agriculture, farming, construction, hospitality. I’m just wondering, once we start to see, you know, the significant roundups of these people, is there a plan in place to help those industries, to prevent those industries from experiencing true hardship, financial hardship?”

DeSantis responded by pointing to Florida’s existing measures, including the state’s e-Verify system, which requires employers to verify the immigration status of new hires.

He referenced past criticisms of these policies, noting that opponents had claimed they would harm industries reliant on immigrant labor.

OMG. This reporter just called illegals “undocumented,” DeSantis corrected him, and the reporter re-phrased the question because of it.

REPORTER: Florida has hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants-

GOVERNOR DESANTIS: -The statutory term, per the Trump… pic.twitter.com/9nKkptj1kq

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 23, 2025

However, he maintained that Florida’s economy has continued to thrive under these measures.

DeSantis has been a vocal proponent of stricter immigration enforcement and has supported initiatives to ensure that businesses comply with laws prohibiting the employment of individuals who are in the country illegally.

Florida implemented mandatory e-Verify requirements as part of a broader effort to address illegal immigration and reduce reliance on undocumented labor.

The governor’s exchange with the reporter reaffirms his position on immigration policy and his unwillingness to adopt terminology he views as politically motivated or inconsistent with legal definitions.

The issue of immigration continues to be a key focus of DeSantis’s administration.

He has frequently advocated for strong enforcement measures and criticized policies that he believes encourage illegal immigration.

As discussions about immigration enforcement and its impact on industries persist, DeSantis’s approach reflects his broader commitment to upholding federal immigration laws and prioritizing the rule of law in Florida.

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