Florida Republicans ask Biden to allow Navy to aid in interdictions of Haitian migrants

A group of Florida Republicans is asking President Biden to allow the Navy to conduct maritime interdictions and interceptions of migrants fleeing from Haiti amid the unfolding chaos in the country.

Florida Republican Reps. Matt Gaetz, Gus Biliarakis, Anna Paulina Luna and Daniel Webster all signed the letter sent to Biden calling on him to declare an “anticipated mass migration of aliens en route to, or arriving off the coast of, the United States.” They referenced an executive order signed by former President George W. Bush to address illegal migration in the Caribbean region. 

“A declaration pursuant to Executive Order 13276 is necessary to reinforce the State of Florida’s efforts by utilizing Department of Defense vessels to conduct maritime interdictions and interceptions of aliens from Haiti and repatriate them, preferably to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, as this limits the financial obligation of U.S. taxpayers,” the lawmakers wrote.