The Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis came up with a compromise on the immigration bill. And while much of it is still the same, there are some major changes.
It was the second time that Congress tried to meet DeSantis in the middle. Both say that versions of the immigration agenda offer the promise of “massive deportation” of millions of migrants, but there was a considerable difference in what they wanted.
That is, it will become a liaison between the state and federal governments regarding immigration.
DeSantis called the bill “weak, weak, weak,” and criticised Congress on social media, but now the two branches call another special session (third last month) to provide support from lawmakers To do so, I handed over what I called a “strong policy.” The president’s efforts to “effort to fight illegal immigration efficiently and effectively.”
The compromise is all a group of three bills, all sponsored by Senator R-Sarasota and Lawrence McClure of R-Dover.
“By working with the governor and working towards shared goals, these proposals and spending ensure that Florida continues to take the role model in the strongest crackdown on illegal immigration in the country,” Senate President Ben said. -The night Albritton and House Speaker Danny Perez said in a memo on Monday.
Cabinet management for immigrants
One of DeSantis’ sticking points in Congress’ “to tackle and reform illegal immigration policies” or Trump Act, is giving state elected agricultural commissioners the responsibility to be the state’s chief immigration officers. Ta.
Desantis not only drew power from the governor’s office, but he suggested that it was the affinity of the agricultural industry for cheap and illegal foreign labor, saying “Fox protects the chicken house.” Considering this, it created a conflict of interest.
On social media, DeSantis and his staff attacked Trilby Republican GOP Wilton Simpson, who said the governor “voted to grant driver licenses and in-state tuition fees to illegals.” I did.
The new bill (SB 2C/HB 1C) will create a state immigration executive committee that includes agricultural commissioners but also includes the governor, attorney general and chief financial officer as decision-making partners. All decisions must be approved unanimously.
However, it is worth noting that DeSantis will appoint the next attorney general and the state CFO. He already says his Chief of Staff, James Usmierer, will replace Ashley Moody as an AG now that she has become a US Senator.
Current CFO Jimmy Patronis is expected to win a bid for a seat in the Panhandle in April this year, creating another vacant seat for Florida cabinet.
Essential death penalty
Part of the Trump Act was fully drawn out and split into its own bill. What is included in the original measure may be the reason some Republican senators did not vote for it.
The bill (SB 4C/HB 3C) requires immigrants who illegally enter the country to be killed if they are found guilty of capital offences such as murder or child rape.
But it also creates state-level crimes for illegally breaking into or re-entering Florida. According to an analysis of the bill, anyone convicted of the offence must be sentenced to nine months in prison.
It will reduce costs
The Trump Act costs around $5 billion, but the new immigration package costs around $285 million.
Most of that money, or $250 million, goes to the local law enforcement immigration grant program. It will be used to provide grants to support local law enforcement in cooperation and coordination with federal immigration agencies.
It also established 89 full-time positions in the state government, and “strengthen blocking activities and protect the state’s borders” primarily at the Florida Department of Agriculture, according to a bill analysis.
Refusing to comply will result in a fine
Desantis originally wanted to require law enforcement immigrant staff to comply with law enforcement, and create penalties that include halting officials if they do not comply.
But it was returned by lawmakers. In particular, he said he did not support the creation of criminal penalties for frontline officers. Instead, the bill said the penalty would be a $5,000 fine.
The Trump Act also “has held almost everyone accountable if they didn’t work with the federal government to the richest possible extent.” or any other independent unit of government and other public or private institutions, individuals, partnerships, businesses, or business institutions that engage in or otherwise act on behalf of public institutions. ”
The new legislative package limits a $5,000 fine for “county, district, authorities, municipalities, or other local governments” if it adopts a policy that refuses to comply with federal law.
This is a major shift from previous language that bothered employees in some states, including teachers who felt they had to work individually with public school immigration and customs enforcement agencies.
USA Today Network’s State Watchdog Reporter AnaGoñi-Lessan-Florida can visit agonilessan@gannett.com.
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