TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida is on the brink of passing the nation’s most stringent illegal immigration enforcement laws.
As the special legislative session enters its second day, Republican lawmakers appear unified following recent tensions with Gov. Ron DeSantis. However, today, Democrats are voicing their concerns, advocating for changes to the proposed legislation.
The bill under discussion aims to bolster immigration enforcement in Florida, aligning with President Donald Trump’s broader crackdown on illegal immigration. Despite expectations that the proposal will remain largely unchanged, questions are being raised about the financial burden on taxpayers and the potential impacts on public safety.
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“I have been honored to co-sponsor the bill as President Trump’s candidate for congress, Joe Gruters, and I have been running the bill in the senate as two of Trump’s key lieutenants,” said Senator Randy Fine, a co-sponsor of the bill. “We are setting Florida up to be Trump’s best friend when it comes to illegal immigrants.”
The governor’s summary of the proposed laws includes key points such as:
- No in-state tuition for illegal immigrants.
- Full participation from local entities, requiring local law enforcement to assist federal authorities in enforcing immigration laws and facilitating deportations.
- A proposed allocation of $500 million to enhance coordination between state, local, and federal authorities in detaining illegal immigrants.
Today, several Democrats voiced their concerns, arguing that the funds should instead address the housing crisis or support public schools.
“Florida’s economy is so reliant on difficult jobs in the tourism field, the agricultural field, and the construction field,” Democratic state Rep. Anna Eskamani said. “These are jobs that historically American citizens do not want to do, which is why we are so reliant on immigrant labor.”
“That means Americans will do those jobs, and that would be great, or we will get legal immigrants and give visas to people to allow them to come to farms and do those things,” Fine said in response. “But relying on a criminal activity to run your business is not a noble way to run your business.”
The legislative sessions continue tomorrow, with the passage of this legislation anticipated.
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