Thread: Help is needed in Florida

Sorry if this is a duplicate post. I searched but didn't find anything. I just received this in an email.


Important Opportunity in Florida Slipping Away!
This is a special message for NumbersUSA members in Florida.

Dear Florida friends,

The following message is from Floridians for Immigration Enforcement (FLIMEN). A small window remains in which to push for immigration reduction bills in the Florida House of Representatives. While NumbersUSA may not endorse all of the provisions of the bills noted below, it is critical to keep debate going in hopes of passing good immigration reduction legislation in that state.

Five Florida House immigration enforcement bills, HB73, HB159, HB571, HB577 and HB821, have died in committee but there is one option remaining to move the bills. Your help is needed to pressure Speaker of the House Marco Rubio to cause the bills to be heard in the House Government Efficiency & Accountability Council. Unless Speaker Rubio hears from Florida voters and schedules hearings by April 4, 2008 then these good bills will have no chance of enactment this year.

Please call:



Rep. Marco Rubio, Speaker of the House, (R) Miami: (850) 488-1450, (305) 442-6939


Rep. David Rivera, Chair Rules & Calendar Council, (R) Miami/Naples: (850) 488-7897, (305) 227-7630, (239) 434-5094


Rep. Frank Attkisson, Chair House Govt Efficiency & Accountability Council, (R) Kissimmee: (850) 488-8992, (407) 943-3077




Other actions:



Forward this message to at least 6 others.


Visit www.flimen.org often for updates.


Call in to Talk Radio Shows.


Write a Letter to the Editor to a newspaper.




The five stalled bills are a limited and reasonable response to Florida's illegal immigration crisis. Some of the five stalled bills have duplicate provisions. Here are a few highlights of the bills ( * = FLIMEN priority bill):

HB 73* - This bill is a version of the successful Oklahoma bill. This comprehensive bill would require contractors to state and local governments to use the E-verify system. It requires verification of immigration status of persons confined for DUI or BUI. It should be noted that HB 73 would not require E-verify for private contractors as Arizona now requires.

HB 159* - Requires E-verify for contractors to state and local governments. Requires agencies & political subdivisions of state to verify lawful presence in U.S. of persons who have applied for state or local public benefits, or for federal public benefits, that are administered by agency or political subdivision.

HB 571 - Requires law enforcement officers and others to report to Immigration and Customs Enforcement office of U.S. Department of Homeland Security suspected illegal aliens arrested, detained, or convicted of felony; requires law enforcement agencies to inform each law enforcement officer of duty to cooperate with federal officials concerning federal immigration laws.

HB 577 - Requires reclassification of felony or misdemeanor for second or subsequent offense by illegal or undocumented alien unlawfully in US after deportation; provides for severity ranking; defines "illegal or undocumented alien"; requires DOC to provide ICE certain information concerning inmates suspected of being illegal or undocumented; requires DOC to transfer illegal or undocumented aliens to ICE upon completion of sentence; provides for DOC transfer of illegal or undocumented aliens voluntarily choosing to return to country of origin.

HB 821* - Requires E-verify, requires law enforcement officers to report unlawfully present felons to ICE; seeks federal reimbursement, requires proof of legality to obtain Florida benefits, prohibits illegal alien hiring halls, and prohibits sanctuary cities.

Arizona, Georgia, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Missouri now mandate the use of E-Verify for either public or private employers to confirm the legal status of workers. The proposed Florida bills are limited in impact as none of the bills require E-verify for private employers, i.e. those not contracting with a governmental entity. E-verify addresses the core problem of illegal immigration - the job magnet. Other provisions of these bills address core enforcement problems such as reporting immigration status of felons to ICE. These are good bills focusing on core problems with limited impact and these bills should be enacted!!

Intelligence gathered indicates that House leadership will allow the sixth House bill, HB107 (Human Smuggling), to be heard and allowed to move.

This is truly a grassroots effort where Floridians will have to take it upon themselves to secure Florida's fate. It will be YOU that make the difference in Florida.

For more information, visit http://www.flimen.org/alerts.htm.

I’ve been calling and emailing for three days.