Florida out as location for migrants after DeSantis appeals to Trump

Thousand were set to go Broward, Palm Beach counties

BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. ā€“ Florida will not be considered as a location to house undocumented migrants after Gov. Ron DeSantis appealed to President Donald Trump, the governor said Sunday.

Acting Homeland Security Department Secretary Kevin McAleenan also confirmed the moveĀ on "Face the Nation" on Sunday.

Broward and Palm Beach counties were initially considered as locations to place migrants,Ā mostly from Central America,Ā who arriveĀ at the southern border seeking asylum. Both counties have large processing centers for migrants.

The Department of Homeland SecurityĀ said Friday that there were no "immediate" plans, but left open the possibility of using Florida as a location. Several California cities have been mentioned, as well.Ā The agency switched gears after Gov. Ron DeSantis, a close ally of President Donald Trump, opposed "dumping" migrants on Florida.

"President Trump and I spoke yesterday and confirmed that he did not approve, nor would approve, sending immigrants who illegally cross the border, to Florida. It is not going to happen," DeSantis said on Twitter on Sunday.

Local leaders were largely receptive to the plan,Ā citing a "humanitarian crisis" at the border. ButĀ they complained that they had beenĀ given little information on how the plan would be carried out.Ā 

Migrants are coming to the southernĀ borderĀ in high numbers, overwhelming processing centers alongĀ Mexico's border with Texas and California.