Florida GOP Blasts Deegan's Radical Veto: 'Floridians Shouldn't Fund Illegal Immigrants'

Florida GOP Chairman Evan Power issued the following statement today after Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan vetoed Bill 2025-0138, a simple, commonsense measure introduced by Councilman Rory Diamond and passed by the City Council in an 11-7 vote, which would have prohibited city tax dollars from funding services for illegal immigrants:

“Donna Deegan has once again shown her true colors to the people of Jacksonville: she’d rather stand with criminal migrants than legal, hardworking taxpayers. Here in Florida, we won’t tolerate municipalities harboring illegal immigrants and providing a safe haven to those that flout our laws. By vetoing this bill, she is signaling to the entire country that Jacksonville is open for illegal immigration and that local tax dollars are up for grabs to support it. It is simply outrageous.”

Under Governor Ron DeSantis and Republican leadership, Florida has taken bold steps to combat illegal immigration, stop sanctuary cities, and put the safety and sovereignty of our communities first. Donna Deegan’s veto moves Jacksonville in the wrong direction – and Florida Republicans will fight it every step of the way.