Thread: Florida bills would ban sanctuary cities, require enforcement of federal immigration

5:30 pm
By Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster of the Naples Daily News

Bills requiring Florida to enforce federal immigration law have drawn the ire of immigration advocates.

On Tuesday, state lawmakers unveiled legislation aimed at enforcing immigration laws. One measure (SB 872), sponsored by Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, would crack down on cities that don't enforce federal immigration law, often called sanctuary cities.

The bill calls on the state to support federal enforcement efforts and make sure those efforts aren't "impeded or thwarted" by state or local laws, policies and practices. The measure also says state agencies, local governments and officials "who encourage persons unlawfully present in the United States to locate within this state or who shield such persons from personal responsibility for their unlawful actions breach this duty and should be held accountable."

A similar bill (HB 675) is being sponsored in the House by Rep. Larry Metz, a Yahala Republican.

"This is a radical bill that would rip parents away from their children and force all state entities to essentially turn in families who lack immigration status; families that call Florida home and are integral to the fabric of our communities," said Maria Rodriguez, executive director for the Florida Immigration Coalition.

"Beyond the fueling of hate and racism that further divide communities, this 'Big Brother is watching' bill actually strong-arms local government, at taxpayer expense, to go after its own residents. It is not only costly, it will actually harm our safety by undermining the public trust."

The concept of sanctuary cities became an issue after a woman was killed this summer in San Francisco. The shooter was believed to a Mexican felon and an undocumented immigrant living in the city, which doesn't enforce immigration laws.

The bills allow the attorney general and states attorneys to take action against local governments, including levying civil penalties up to $5,000 for each day they don't enforce the policy of working with immigration enforcement officials.

Bean said it would also remove a local government's sovereign immunity, which would allow a citizen to sue the government agency or official if a person is injured by a person in the United States unlawfully.

The bills are part of a package of immigration-related measures rolled out Tuesday.

Rep. Carlos Trujillo, R-Doral, filed legislation that would charge people with a felony if they are suspected of entering the country after facing deportation. Sen. Travis Hutson, R-Elkton, proposed a measure that would up the classification of a crime by one level if committed by a person in the United States unlawfully.

"We're stepping up and saying the state of Florida is jumping in," said Bean. "We're going to do the job because the federal government is refusing to do it."

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/state...351181181.html

Originally Posted by Jean

5:30 pm
By Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster of the Naples Daily News



"Beyond the fueling of hate and racism that further divide communities, this 'Big Brother is watching' bill actually strong-arms local government, at taxpayer expense, to go after its own residents. It is not only costly, it will actually harm our safety by undermining the public trust."



http://www.naplesnews.com/news/state...351181181.html

Stop calling them residents! They are invaders! And just how do these laws break up families? You're very welcome to take your kids back with you. There, problem solved. You shouldn't brought them here in the 1st place. I'm so glad some government is becoming concerned for American citizen rights.

-Stop the invasion with mass deportation!