MIAMI — Florida’s emergency response to the influx of migrants from Cuba and Haiti arriving by boat will be one of surveillance and not interdiction as 150 to 200 troops and officers work with federal Homeland Security officials “to increase coastal vigilance and provide improved situational awareness on migrant activities,’’ state emergency operations officials said in a statement on Tuesday.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management is activated and prepared to “deploy all available resources and manpower to respond to the unprecedented level of migrant landings on our shores,’’ said DEM Director Kevin Guthrie. He said the agency will continue its work with “Operation Vigilant Sentry,’’ the Department of Homeland Security task force focused on maritime migration.
The rush of resources to the Florida Keys is a response to an executive order signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday after more than 300 migrants arrived in the Keys from Cuba in the first weekend of this year. The order activated the Florida National Guard and directed state law enforcement and other state agencies to “help alleviate the strain on local resources” from migrants arriving by boat in the Keys.
