FL-Illegal Immigrant Smugglers Will Face Penalties

Illegal Immigrant Smugglers Will Face Penalties
Apr 28th 2009

The bill against smuggling illegal immigrant is being sent to Gov. Crist.

Smuggling illegal immigrants into Florida is not against state law, but the House and the Senate are working to change that.

Human smuggling is a federal crime but Florida state and local law enforcement officers cannot arrest suspects while patrolling state waters.

The House and the Senate have passed the bill (HB 123) Tuesday which permits state and local officers to to arrest smugglers and charge them with a first degree misdemeanor, according to the Associated Press.

If convicted the smugglers will be turned over the federal authorities with a maximum penalty under the bill would be a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

http://www.wcjb.com/news/3610/illegal-i ... -penalties