Immigrants rally statewide

By LAURA WIDES-MUNOZ
AP Hispanic Affairs Writer

MIAMI -- Hundreds of immigrant activists and their supporters are organizing protests across Florida against two state immigration bills this week.

Some are gathering Monday evening in Little Havana. A group from Clearwater is headed to Tallahassee to join a march by immigrant children. On Tuesday in Tallahassee, growers and fieldworkers will highlight the bills' effects on agriculture. A day later, Dream Act-eligible students will target lawmakers.

The House bill authorizes local law enforcement to check immigration status whenever they suspect someone is in the country illegally and mandates employers use the federal E-Verify program. The Senate version is more limited, but immigrants and business still oppose it. Those who back the bills say something must be done to address the failed immigration system and maintain businesses are simply protecting cheap labor.


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