Screenshot / YouTube, The White House , Cropped by Resist the Mainstream

On Monday, the White House called the uptick in squatting, where strangers seize and live in a homeowner’s property against their wishes a “local issue” that local governments must address on their own. 

During Monday’s press conference, Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy asked White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre whether Americans should be concerned about squatters, and about president Biden’s stance on the issue, as horror stories from across the nation repeatedly make headlines. 

“My understanding is that this is obviously a local issue,” Jean-Pierre said. “We are certainly tracking that issue. The rights of property owners and renters must be protected.”

“And we believe that ultimately what needs to happen is that the local government needs to make sure that they address this, and they take action,” the press secretary continued, adding that Americans in communities across the country “want their families to be safe and that’s what we want as well.”

Jean-Pierre was then asked whether Biden would support a law such as Florida’s anti-squatter law, allowing homeowners to call police on squatters, but she refused to address the hypothetical scenario. 

“What I can say is that this is ultimately a local issue, and it’s critical that local governments address this,” she said.

Last week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law allowing state law enforcement officials the power to remove offenders and increase penalties for squatters.

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

“Florida is once again leading the nation, this time in securing our state against squatters,” said Attorney General Ashley Moody. “Biden has allowed millions of illegal immigrants to flood across the border. After video evidence of their plan to take over homes emerged, we’re ensuring Floridians are protected from this egregious and brazen scheme. I’m grateful to Governor DeSantis for signing this important legislation into law, and to Representative Kevin Steele for carrying this bill through Session.”

The bill not only allows Floridians to immediately call police to remove squatters, which in many states has become a lengthy process, but increases several penalties inflicted upon the offending parties. 

This includes making it a first-degree misdemeanor for making a false statement in writing to obtain real property or for knowingly and willfully presenting a falsified document conveying property rights, a second-degree felony for any person who unlawfully occupies or trespasses in a residential dwelling and who intentionally causes $1,000 or more in damages, and a first-degree felony for knowingly advertising the sale or rent of a residential property without legal authority or ownership.

These penalties were created to better address the squatters across the nation, many of whom have found ways to circumvent existing laws and drag out court proceedings by laying fake claim to homes, such as by creating fake leases. 

“When I called the police, they said since they have a fake lease, that they can’t do anything. That it’s a civil matter,” said Paul Callins, a Georgia man who is one victim of the squatter issues.