Florida Governor DeSantis Appoints Florida Lottery and Gambling Regulator to Participate in Migrant Enforcement Action
May 2, 2025, 09:29h.
Last updated on: May 2, 2025, 01:22h.
Unleashing Florida's Law Enforcement: From Law officers to RegulatorsWho's next? Florida Lottery, Gaming Commission, and more may aid in immigration rounds-up.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) ain't messin' around. He dropped a bombshell at a recent news conference with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) bros in Miami, proudly announcing that Florida's leading the immigration arrests game with a weekly tally of over 1,120 "illegal aliens" nabbed during Operation Tidal Wave.
During the press conference, DeSantis suremade it clear that more state agencies waltz into the immigration enforcement scene, with the Florida Lottery and Florida Gaming Commission joining the party.
Already havin' 'bout 100 state and local law enforcement agencies enlisted in the 287(g) program, DeSantis ain't stopping there. He wants regulatory agencies in too. Besides the lottery and the state gaming regulator, this extended list includes the Department of Business and Professional Regulation's Division of Alcohol Beverage and Tobacco, the governor added.
Why these agencies, you ask? Well, they work in what DeSantis calls "target-rich environments," and during their routine checks, they're often rubbin' shoulders with folks who might be in the country illegally. Said DeSantis, "Deputizing those officers in regulatory spaces is a new way to fuel immigration enforcement efforts."
But what does this mean in practice? Not much has been confirmed yet, especially when it comes to whether players will have to show documentation when buyin' lottery tickets. Guess time'll tell, says DeSantis.
Can Undocumented Migrants Win the Lottery?
It's all good news for undocumented migrants who win the lottery, at least for now. There ain't no explicit ban on their claimin' lottery prizes in Florida or elsewhere, and lottery officials don't usually ask about a claimant's immigration status. For major jackpots, winners must present valid ID, like a driver's license or passport. If they can't, they might lose 30% (or more) of their winnings for federal tax purposes and possibly face state tax bills too. But now, with Florida's new immigration enforcement measures, there's a chance their winnings could also finance a one-way ticket back home.
The Fine Print
Florida's regulatory agencies are now throwin' down their badges and joinin' the immigration enforcement game, thanks to 287(g) agreements. These agreements deputize officers, allowin' 'em to perform immigration-related duties during routine checks at convenience stores, casinos, liquor shops, and other venues full 'o illegal immigrants, a la Governor DeSantis' description. What's more, these agencies share info with federal authorities, potentially leadin' to joint operations like Operation Tidal Wave and resultin' in more immigration arrests.
But wait, there's more. Legal advocates warn that involvein' non-law-enforcement entities in immigration duties could cross the line and violate the Constitution's Supremacy Clause, as seen in recent court challenges to Florida's immigration laws.
- Governor Ron DeSantis' announcement has set a new precedent, with the Florida Lottery and Florida Gaming Commission potentially joining the immigration enforcement efforts under Operation Tidal Wave.
- The Florida Gaming Commission, known for its role in regulating casino-and-gambling activities, might soon be involved in immigration enforcement, a shift that has raised concerns and questions.
- The addition of regulatory agencies like the Florida Lottery and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation's Division of Alcohol Beverage and Tobacco to the 287(g) program could lead to more targeted immigration checks.
- The implications of this move are vast and multifaceted, touching upon general-news, politics, and crime-and-justice sectors.
- Undocumented migrants may still win the lottery, as there is no current ban on claiming lottery prizes, but their winnings could potentially be used to deport them under the new immigration enforcement measures.
- Lottery officials do not typically question a claimant's immigration status, but winners must present valid ID to claim major jackpots, which could potentially lead to deportation if the winner is undocumented.
- The new immigration enforcement measures could potentially result in law-abiding undocumented immigrants being deported, raising concerns about the fairness and constitutionality of such practices.
- Legal advocates are warning that involving non-law-enforcement entities in immigration duties could violate the Constitution's Supremacy Clause, a concern that has been highlighted in recent court challenges to Florida's immigration laws.
- The 287(g) agreements between Florida's regulatory agencies and federal authorities could lead to further joint operations like Operation Tidal Wave, potentially resulting in more immigration arrests and deportations.