Thread: FL: McCollum will introduce immigration bill

McCollum will introduce immigration bill
Updated: Tuesday, 10 Aug 2010, 11:15 PM EDT
Published : Tuesday, 10 Aug 2010, 11:15 PM EDT


Chris Chmura
FOX 13 News reporter
TAMPA - Florida's Attorney General will propose a new state immigration law Wednesday, playing to his core supporters but also thrusting the state into what could become a legal and social quagmire along the lines of what Arizona finds itself in.

Bill McCollum, who is engaged in a bitter primary for governor, will make the announcement in Orlando, his Tallahassee office said. Details about the proposal were not made available in advance of the news conference.

It is no surprise McCollum is floating an illegal immigration law for Florida. Polls show conservative Republican voters, those most likely to vote in the August 24 election, rank immigration as one of their top priorities.

And support for the Arizona law, which permits state law enforcement officers to report immigration violators to federal immigration agents, is nearly unanimous among likely GOP voters.

Under current Florida law, when law enforcement officers make an arrest, they are allowed to check for legal immigration status, and most do. But Bill believes that Florida law must be even stronger, Mccollum's website says.

McCollum has previously filed a legal brief in support of the controversial Arizona law, criticizing an Obama administration challenge. The case is pending an appeal, following a federal district judge’s decision to temporarily halt key provisions of the law.

Protestors have descended on Arizona in opposition to the law. Some have called for a boycott of the state. Proponents, including the state's Governor, Jan Brewer, argue the state is merely enforcing laws that the federal government has failed to adequately enforce.

McCollum's website vows that, if elected Florida governor, he will hold the federal government accountable to fulfill their responsibility to protect our national borders.

Following the morning announcement in Orlando McCollum will take part in an event that was supposed to be a debate. His opponent, Rick Scott, who has repeatedly challenged McCollum's immigration stance, has refused to participate in the debate.

The Attorney General will later make an appearance in Brandon at 7 p.m., his campaign said in a statement.

www.myfoxtampabay.com

My wife wants to retire to FL. and I've been against it because I want to retire to a state that is populated by Americans. If this passes I might just be swayed.

McCollum has flip floppd on the AZ Bill.First he said "We do not need that bill in FL." and did not approve of AZ's Bill.Then Rick Scott who is also running for Govenor announced he would bring the AZ law to FL. so McCollum jumped onto the band wagon and now is pushing to bring the law to FL.

Rick Scott is ahead in the polls.

Originally Posted by Ratbstard

My wife wants to retire to FL. and I've been against it because I want to retire to a state that is populated by Americans. If this passes I might just be swayed.

AZ might be a better choice.

There are some areas of FL. that are not IA magnets just be careful where you move too if you decide on FL.

Arizona would be more scenic, what with the grand canyon, Sedona, prescott and other areas.

In florida you still have to run from hurricanes. that doesnt happen in AZ

Originally Posted by USPatriot

Originally Posted by Ratbstard

My wife wants to retire to FL. and I've been against it because I want to retire to a state that is populated by Americans. If this passes I might just be swayed.

AZ might be a better choice.

There are some areas of FL. that are not IA magnets just be careful where you move too if you decide on FL.

She has a sister in FL.. All my relatives are in PA.

Florida AG McCollum, Lawmakers Unveil Immigration Bill Modeled After Arizona's

Published August 11, 2010
| FoxNews.com
Print Email Share Comments (262) Text Size


Florida's attorney general and a group of state lawmakers moved Wednesday to push the Sunshine State into the forefront of the national illegal immigration debate with a bill modeled after Arizona's controversial law -- only, they claim, with a better shot of withstanding a court challenge.

State Attorney General Bill McCollum, following the lead of Virginia's top prosecutor, also issued an opinion saying state law enforcement already have the right to ask about immigration status in the course of their duties.

"This legislation will provide new enforcement tools for protecting our citizens and will help our state fight the ongoing problems created by illegal immigration," McCollum, a Republican, said in a written statement. "Florida will not be a sanctuary state for illegal aliens."

McCollum helped write the legislation, though Florida lawmakers will be responsible for pushing it in the legislature.

The move comes after a U.S. District Court judge blocked key provisions of Arizona's law. The battle between Arizona and the U.S. government, as well as civil rights groups, could make its way to the Supreme Court -- but while that fight plays out, several states are putting similar legislation on the table.

The Florida proposal would, like Arizona's, require law enforcement officers to check the residency status of anyone they suspect of being an illegal immigrant in the course of a "lawful stop."

It would require state businesses to use a national registry to ensure new employees are legal and would increase penalties for illegal immigrants who commit other crimes. The bill would also require non-citizen immigrants to carry immigration documentation or face a misdemeanor charge that could carry up to 20 days in jail.

Though McCollum's office said in a statement that the legislation was adjusted to "strengthen it" against a possible court challenge, the proposal would go beyond Arizona's by letting judges consider a defendant's illegal immigrant status during bond proceedings.

State Rep. William Snyder wrote the bill with McCollum.

The unveiling comes after Virginia State Attorney Ken Cuccinelli last week issued a ruling saying police can ask people about their immigration status during routine stops. The move prompted an objection from the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia, which urged state police to ignore the opinion.

McCollum did something similar Wednesday, releasing an informal opinion to a state lawmaker saying "it appears that state and local law enforcement have the authority to inquire into the immigration status" of anyone detained under state law providing the questioning doesn't "prolong" the detention.

As Cuccinelli said, McCollum clarified that under current law, officers are not required to ask about immigration status.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010...eled-arizonas/