(NewsNation) — The United States’ so-called “third border” is in the spotlight Thursday as two top Trump administration officials head to Florida to discuss immigration mitigation efforts.
Revved-up border security and increased deportations have been a mainstay of President Donald Trump’s second administration, with border czar Tom Homan and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at the helm of the efforts.
Both spoke in the Sunshine State on Thursday about the federal government’s cooperation with state and local law enforcement to carry out Trump’s policies.
Tom Homan, Ron DeSantis discuss immigration
Homan, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf attended a “Socratic stage” at the New College of Florida in Sarasota. Notably, DeSantis played a major role in reshaping the school’s small campus, appointing six new trustees that shifted the college in a conservative direction.
The trio’s roundtable discussions centered on Trump’s mass deportation efforts and state-level involvement in removal efforts, which DeSantis has openly supported.
Homan called for mass deportations, citing the fact that a majority of asylum seekers wouldn’t qualify to stay.
“We need to send a message to the whole world, there’s a right way and a wrong wrong to come to this country … If you want to be part of the greatest nation on earth, breaking our laws shouldn’t be the first thing you do,” he said.
DeSantis urged Congress to codify some of Trump’s border policies: “We’ve got to get this into law, and I think Congress really needs to be way, way more aggressive than what they’ve been so far.”
In late February, DeSantis upped the stakes for crimes by immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally, part of his plan to deter migrants from entering the state.
Homan, DeSantis: Birthright citizenship an ‘enticement’ for illegal crossing
Homan called birthright citizenship a “magnet” that entices illegal immigration, which DeSantis agreed with.
In regards to whether the policy should end, Homan kicked it down to the nation’s highest court.
“I think the Supreme Court finally needs to answer that question. I’m not a lawyer, but I can read,” Homan said. “And I don’t think it’s clear that an illegal alien who has a child in the country, is automatically a U.S. citizen.”
DeSantis said he thinks the Supreme Court will soon “tackle it.” On inauguration day, Trump signed an executive order attempting to end the practice.
Birthright citizenship automatically makes anyone born in the United States an American citizen, including children born to mothers in the country illegally. The right was enshrined soon after the Civil War in the Constitution’s 14th Amendment.
Homan addresses deportation flight court battle
The meeting comes as the Trump administration doubles down on its attempts to fly alleged gang members out of the country under the Alien Enemies Act, an 18th-century wartime law — despite a judge’s temporary block on the removals.
Homan in Florida said invoking the Alien Enemies Act was “the right thing to do. TdA is an enemy of the United States.”
Homan reaffirmed that he believes it is up to the DOJ to deal with the ongoing court battle over the flights.
“Bottom line is, we’re not going to stop doing we’re doing. We’re going to arrest aliens today, we’re going arrest TdA today,” Homan said. “We’re going to deport TdA today, were going to deport criminals every single day.”
Kristi Noem meets with US Coast Guard
In South Florida, Noem also participated in an offload of more than 45,000 pounds of drugs with the U.S. Coast Guard.
The 10:30 a.m. ET event focused on the maritime agency’s crackdown on smuggling in the Sunshine State.
“Today is a historic day,” Noem said. “This action is a testimony to President Trump’s commitment to delivering for the American people and he has unwavering dedication to our military strength, to our border security, our law enforcement are producing incredible results and his leadership is making America safe again.”
Since January, the Coast Guard said it has tripled its forces operating on the southern border in response to Trump’s national emergency declaration.
“We are cleaning up our communities from drugs like fentanyl and cocaine and marijuana, Noem said. “We’re protecting the American people and we’re making sure cartels are not profiting from the trafficking of these drugs and preventing violence in our communities.”
NewsNation got an exclusive look at their work from the sky a few weeks ago, riding along with Coast Guard pilots who track migrants through the Caribbean. The flight lasted six hours — starting in Miami and going over several islands.
NewsNation’s Jordan Perkins and The Associated Press contributed to this report.