Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis endorsed legislation on Wednesday increasing penalties on squatters and bolstering property rights, an effort to prevent squatter scams observed elsewhere in the United States.

Several instances of homeowners facing lengthy legal processes to remove squatters or themselves receiving sanctions for attempting to secure their property have garnered national attention. At least one illegal alien social media influencer has attained virality for showing other foreigners how to use squatters rights laws to “seize” homes if the properties are “not inhabited.”

The new law in Florida signed by DeSantis will allow property owners to “immediately remove a squatter” as long as the individual unlawfully entered and remains on the property, was directed to leave the property by the owner, and is not a current or former tenant in a legal dispute.

“We are putting an end to the squatters scam in Florida,” DeSantis said. “While other states are siding with the squatters, we are protecting property owners and punishing criminals.”

The legislation established first-degree misdemeanor charges for “making a false statement in writing to obtain real property or for knowingly and willfully presenting a falsified document conveying property rights,” as well as first-degree felony charges for “knowingly advertising the sale or rent of a residential property without legal authority or ownership.”

Florida Republican Attorney General Ashley Moody emphasized that President Joe Biden has “allowed millions of illegal immigrants to flood across the border,” inducing the need to prevent them from “egregious and brazen” squatting schemes. Members of the Florida Legislature unanimously approved the legislation, which takes effect in July.