Orlando, FL – A coalition of Florida lawmakers is calling on Governor Ron DeSantis to rescind Executive Order 23-03, an immigration-focused emergency order that has now entered its third year through repeated extensions, despite the lack of any current emergency conditions.
In a letter sent to the Governor today, the legislators highlight that the order, originally issued in January 2023, no longer serves any valid purpose. The order repeatedly references “President Biden,” yet as of January 2025, President Trump has resumed office. Moreover, border crossings are currently at their lowest levels in decades — undermining the very justification for the emergency designation.
“This order is not just outdated — it’s a misuse of executive authority,” the lawmakers state. “It diverts critical resources from real emergencies, like hurricane preparedness and disaster recovery, to enforce an immigration policy that should be governed by federal law.”
The letter also points to a recent federal court ruling that struck down SB 4-C, Florida’s anti-immigrant law, as unconstitutional for violating the Supremacy Clause. The lawmakers emphasize that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility and warn that continuing to extend EO 23-03 places Florida on precarious legal and ethical ground.
“Florida families deserve real solutions to real emergencies. We urge you to allow EO 23-03 to expire or formally rescind it so we can direct our time, attention, and resources toward protecting lives and livelihoods this hurricane season and beyond,” the letter states.
The lawmakers further note that no-bid contracts and invoices associated with this executive order are now being shielded from public view, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.
Citing their statutory authority to terminate an emergency order via concurrent resolution, the lawmakers urge Governor DeSantis to immediately rescind EO 23-03 and redirect the state’s focus toward urgent, real-world challenges facing Floridians.