State Rep. Dotie Joseph, D-North Miami, and two advocacy groups Thursday questioned Florida’s response to unrest in Haiti.

▶ WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS

Joseph, the Florida Immigrant Coalition and the Family Action Network Movement issued a news release after Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday announced the state would increase deployments of law-enforcement officers, National Guard members and State Guard members to South Florida in anticipation of a surge in migration from Haiti.

Read: Local church help gather donations to send to Haiti amid crisis

“Rather than harass refugees who are literally fleeing for their lives, the state government can focus its law enforcement resources on making sure shipments from Florida are properly screened for illegal arms and munitions,” Joseph, who was born in Haiti, said in the news release. “We can also ensure that state agencies are not weaponized to prevent churches and other nonprofits from caring for those who are legally admitted. Economically, we can work on integrating these hard-working and taxpaying migrants into our state economy at a time where employers are squealing about workforce shortages.”

Read: Holly Hill police chief resigns, Mayor says

More than 250 officers and members from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Florida National Guard and the Florida State Guard are expected to be deployed, the governor’s office said.

Read: Orlando couple charged with attempted murder for planned shooting in Lake County neighborhood

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.