Intolerance of immigration. This is the crux of a bill that has been introduced to both chambers of the Florida Legislative Assembly. The initiative mirrors the immigration policy championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The Republican is carefully following the line of former president and leader of his party, Donald Trump.
The legal proposal goes so far as to condemn, with prison terms of between 5 and 15 years, actions such as the harboring or transportation of an undocumented person. Thus, Florida is about to become the most anti-immigration state in the United States.
Ironically, Florida for many decades now has been one of the states with the highest percentage of immigrant populations. In its most productive county, Miami, nearly 63% of citizens were born in another country.
Kernel of Florida’s anti-immigrant bill
The immediate consequence of the approval of this legislative proposal would be the creation of a police state in Florida. Basically, the regulations criminalize undocumented residence (which currently constitutes a non-criminal offence).
However, the bill does not spell out what facts and motives would constitute reasonable suspicion for making a lawful arrest for this reason. or on what basis the police will decide whether or not to stop a person or vehicle in Florida.
What is the subject of the bill?
- Persons without legal immigration status in the state (undocumented) are prohibited from using valid identification licenses issued by other states, and even by Florida jurisdictions.
- It places a duty on health centers to collect information on the immigration status of patients.
- Requires health centers to provide quarterly immigration status reports for their patients, and to report on the care of unauthorized aliens.
- Amends existing rules, so healthcare organizations can share unregistered patient information.
- The amount of fines for hiring illegal immigrants increases.
- Provides for tougher penalties for those who repeatedly hire illegal immigrants.
- It stipulates a penalty of lifelong suspension of operating licenses for companies that repeat violations in cases of illegal contracting.
- It makes use of the Federal eVerification Program mandatory.
- Imprisonment is carried out for foreigners who premeditatedly use forged documents.
- Those who transfer unregistered persons shall be liable to fines and imprisonment. (In this sense, the bill does not make it clear what will happen in the case of mixed marriages.)
- Unregistered persons are prohibited from practicing the profession of lawyer. (This particularly affects DACA recipients, known as “Dreamers”).
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