State lawmakers and frenzied lobbyists returned to Tallahassee on Tuesday for yet another legislative session, but this time they were joined by a group of people who say they aren’t getting equal treatment in the Sunshine State: immigrants.
They marched through the halls of the Florida Capitol this week, carrying banners reading “We Are Florida.” Over 200 came to Tallahassee from all over the state Wednesday to chant the same phrase and sit in committee meetings where state lawmakers heard legislation immigrant groups call “anti-immigrant.”
Last year’s legislative session was relatively quiet for immigrants in Florida, but this year they’re gearing up to fight back against several laws which would affect Florida’s immigrant population.
The Florida Immigrant Coalition, a group of farmworkers, students, grassroots organizations and legal advocates, said says state lawmakers have hopped on the bandwagon of Donald Trump and his “anti-immigrant” policies this year, bringing the group to Tallahassee to fight back.
“This legislative session, some legislators in Florida are falling for the ‘Trump Effect’ and attacking immigrants by proposing seven hateful laws that separate families and criminalize mothers and fathers,” FIC wrote.
One of the laws the group is honing in on during this year’s legislative session is a proposal from Rep. Larry Metz, R-Yalaha, and Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, which would punish “sanctuary cities” or counties who aren’t cooperating with federal immigration laws. If the legislation passes, these areas could face civil actions from the attorney general which could be as high as $5,000 per day.
Rep. Metz said the law would simply be a way to enforce local agencies to uphold federal law.
“This bill would basically say, as a matter of policy in the state of Florida, that we’re not going to tolerate state or local governmental agencies from refusing to cooperate with the enforcement of existing federal immigration law,” he explained.
The financial penalties for law enforcement agencies gathered harsh criticisms not only from members of the public, but civil rights groups which said the legislation would create big problems for Florida’s governmental agencies.
“These detentions have to be supported by a real warrant,” said Michelle Richardson of the American Civil Liberties Union. “This will subject all the departments in Florida to liability."
Immigrants flocked to the meeting, saying the legislation wasn’t fair to immigrants and was tearing families apart. Many who showed up to the meeting had translators who told committee members how the bill would negatively impact the community, hurt families and hurt culture.
“This is my family and we are rallying in this Capitol to say this is what Florida looks like,” said Gaby Garcia-Vera Florida Latina of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health.
The bill passed through the House Civil Justice Subcommittee by a vote of 9-4.
Immigrant rights groups are also fired up on other bills like HB 9, sponsored by Rep. Carlos Trujillo, R-Doral. Trujillo’s bill would make it a first-degree felony for someone with a deportation order to continue living in Florida. Other bills targeted by immigrant rights groups include bills to enhance criminal offenses committed by undocumented immigrants.
“Anti-immigrant, anti-Latino and anti-family policies and politics have no room to grow in the Sunshine State,” FIC said. “We want a Florida with dignity, safety and opportunity for ALL Floridians, including immigrants.”
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
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