TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Parents of a Jacksonville man killed in a crash involving an illegal immigrant attended Fla. Gov. Ron DeSantis' State of the State address on Tuesday as guests.
Kiyan Michael and Bobby Michael are both Angel Parents, the name given to parents whose children were killed by illegal immigrants.
Their son, Brandon Randolph Michael died in 2007 when he was reportedly struck by an illegal immigrant who had been twice deported and was driving without a license or registration, according to the governor's office.
The driver was sentenced to two years in prison and was ordered to pay restitution. He was deported again afterward.
“Here with us today are two angel parents, Bobby and Kiyan Michael from Jacksonville,” Gov. DeSantis said during the State of the State address. “Their son Brandon was killed by a foreign national who was illegally in our country and who been deported on two prior occasions. Brandon was a young man engaged to be married, but instead of planning a wedding Bobby and Kiyan had to plan a funeral."
Gov. DeSantis said Brandon Michael's death could have been avoided had laws been enforced.
"Had our laws simply been enforced, Bobby and Kiyan might not have had to bury their son," he said. "Let’s do right by the Michael family; let's prohibit sanctuary cities in Florida.”
Brandon Michael was a Class of 2004 graduate of Duncan U. Fletcher Senior High School.