Gov. Ron DeSantis calling a special legislative session to address illegal immigration isn't a surprise, given the governor's history of pushing policy that has made Florida one of the most unwelcome environments for immigrants who are in the country ...

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Governor Ron DeSantis will hold a news conference Thursday afternoon in Jacksonville. Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters and Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Executive Director Dave Kerner are expected to join the governor at the JSO headquarters on East Bay Street.

Governor Ron DeSantis, Sheriff T.K. Waters, and State Representative Kiyan Michael (D-Jacksonville Beach) joined state and federal law enforcement for a roundtable discussion on immigration policy in Jacksonville on Thursday.

Trump, who endorsed the Governor’s call for a Special Session, told DeSantis he got elected to “solve” the “immigration issue,” and DeSantis said Florida is “ready, willing and able to assist” with his Special Session called for the last week of January offering a timely opportunity.

Several local and state officials, including Governor Ron DeSantis and Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, talked about Florida's latest efforts to fight illegal immigration ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration next Monday.

Among his priorities, the governor said he wants to force local police to assist with immigration enforcement and require E-verify for money transfers.

DeSantis called upon the Florida Legislature to convene a special session to prepare for sweeping immigration policies once Donald Trump takes office.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is praising the sweeping set of executive actions on immigration that President Donald Trump’ signed on his first day in office on Monday, saying they provide a “great road map” for Florida lawmakers to follow during a special legislative session the governor has called for next week in Tallahassee.

Gov. Ron DeSantis, joined by a couple of Central Florida sheriffs, delivered the remarks from Winter Haven on Wednesday. Watch them here:

“The federal government has made clear that the statutory term is not undocumented immigrants; they’re illegal aliens. That’s the statutory term and that’s what it is,” DeSantis said, rejecting the impulse to “water down” the phrasing before explaining the difference.

The special session has emerged as a test of Gov. Ron DeSantis' sway over the Legislature as he enters his final two years in office.