Florida Launches Special Session to Enact Illegal Immigration Legislation
On February 11, Florida’s legislators reconvened in Tallahassee for their third attempt at a special session aimed at enacting laws to support President Donald Trump’s initiatives to combat illegal immigration.
This time, the Republican leadership seems to have come together with a fresh set of legislative proposals that would enhance the responsibilities of state and local law enforcement agencies in aiding federal authorities.
The suggested bills also increase the number and severity of criminal penalties for illegal immigrants, even for simply arriving in the state.
Additional measures would establish an immigration board to serve as a resource for state, local, and federal agencies.
“We have a duty to implement policies that will ultimately put an end to the illegal immigration crisis, and our Republican leaders have been tirelessly working to achieve this,” stated Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in his announcement regarding the special session.
He expressed gratitude towards Senate President Ben Albritton and Speaker Danny Perez for their collaboration in developing “an aggressive bill that we can wholeheartedly support,” after prior special sessions ended with most GOP leaders divided.
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“What makes Florida’s political process unique is that disagreements happen,” Albritton noted in the Senate Chamber on February 11. “This indicates that everyone is independently considering the best solutions.
“Floridians are entitled to have state leaders share their ideas and ultimately come together in consideration of their needs. I am confident we will collaborate effectively over the next two years, with much to anticipate.”
This week, three bills proposed by Sen. Joe Gruters and Rep. Lawrence McClure are under consideration, with a vote set for February 13.
It would also establish criminal offenses for entering the state illegally and for repeat offenses.
According to the bill, an illegal immigrant aged 18 or older caught entering Florida unlawfully would be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor, with a minimum sentence of nine months in prison.
A second offense would escalate to a third-degree felony, with a minimum mandatory sentence of one year and one day in prison, while two or more violations would incur a minimum of two years.
This is contingent upon the adult illegal immigrant not being additionally charged with other crimes.
An illegal immigrant affiliated with a gang would automatically face the maximum penalty for any crime committed, with stricter pretrial detention requirements for those charged with violent felonies.
The legislation would classify voting in elections as a felony for noncitizens, and anyone assisting or encouraging a noncitizen to vote would also be guilty of a felony.
The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles would be prohibited from issuing IDs or licenses to unauthorized and undocumented individuals, and out-of-state tuition waivers for students without U.S. citizenship or legal residency would be eliminated.
The bill would further instantiate the State Board of Immigration Enforcement, which would include the governor, the commissioner of agriculture, the attorney general, and the chief financial officer.
This board would consist of an eight-member council made up of four sheriffs appointed by the senate president and house speaker and four police chiefs selected individually by the governor, agriculture commissioner, attorney general, and chief financial officer.
The council would facilitate improved collaboration between local law enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
If enacted, the law would require agencies to cooperate with ICE in identifying and detaining criminal illegal immigrants and enhancing information sharing to bolster immigration law enforcement and target transnational crime.
County jails would need to report the immigration status of inmates to ICE.
The council would also advise the board on law enforcement strategies, increase detention facility capacities, train local law enforcement, and coordinate with federal initiatives.
Sheriffs and chiefs would be empowered to select the most effective programs within their jurisdictions, receiving training support and funding for apprenticeship programs and other incentives for Floridians to join law enforcement.
All three bills are slated for review by the Senate Appropriations Committee and the House Budgetary Committee on February 12.
