<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/florida" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Florida</a> has been identified as the top destination for immigrants released from the U.S.-Mexico <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/border" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">border</a> after entering illegally, according to a report that covers the period from the end of President Donald Trump’s first term through mid-2025.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">From October 2018 through July 2025, approximately 4.5 million non-U.S. citizens were apprehended by Border Patrol and allowed to remain in the United States temporarily through court proceedings after entering illegally. This influx has made it challenging for the federal government to detain and remove them promptly.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The report, based on an analysis by the <em>Associated Press</em>, indicates that more immigrants have chosen Florida as their destination compared to states like California, Illinois, and New York.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">During the Biden administration, Florida emerged as the most preferred destination for immigrants entering from Mexico, although the report did not quantify the degree of this preference compared to other states.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">If immigrants released at the border have relocated to Florida and remained there, the state could become a focal point for deportation efforts. Under Trump, Florida was noted for its cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), allowing state and local police to assist in immigration enforcement, resulting in higher arrest rates than in many other states.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In 2024, <em>WalletHub</em> ranked Florida as the third-most diverse state in the U.S., with South Florida recognized for its diverse Latin American population.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Among the 4.5 million illegal immigrants allowed into the U.S., approximately 773,000 were from Venezuela, followed by 539,000 from Cuba, 404,000 from Mexico, 388,000 from Honduras, and 354,000 from Colombia.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Many large cities and states have implemented laws or policies that prevent local and state police from transferring illegal immigrants in custody to ICE, making these sanctuary city policies attractive to immigrants in the country illegally or awaiting court proceedings.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Recently, Democratic mayors from major cities filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the federal government's efforts to restrict green cards and visas for immigrants who may rely on U.S. welfare programs.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong><a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/immigration/4727285/blue-cities-sue-trump-administration-immigrants-welfare/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">BLUE CITIES SUE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO KEEP IMMIGRANTS ON WELFARE</a></strong></p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">New York Mayor <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/zohran-mamdani" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Zohran Mamdani</a> announced that New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Santa Clara County, Seattle, King County, and the Public Rights Project have filed a lawsuit against Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow regarding the new public charge rule.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The office of Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) did not respond to a request for comment.</p>