Florida Attorney General Moves Forward with Immigration Bill, Undeterred by Arizona Judge's Decision

On Wednesday, Aug. 11, Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum and other state legislators confirmed a bill proposing reforms to Florida's illegal immigration policies.

McCollum, along with State Representative Bill Snyder (R-Stuart) and other supporters of the bill, stated it will differ from Arizona's law in its wording and principles, and would thereby not be susceptible to First Amendment lawsuits or judicial examination.

In the Press Release on McCollum's official Attorney General website, some of the bill's enforcements look similar to Arizona's:

-Require law enforcement officers to check for suspected illegal status only in the course of a lawful stop for some other reason, and without racial profiling;

-Make sure non-citizen workers carry their papers with them at all times;

-Require Florida businesses to use the E-Verify system to ensure new hires are legally authorized to work;

-Enhance penalties for illegal aliens who commit crimes in Florida.

But McCollum says the bill addresses some items that Arizona District Judge Susan Bolton objected to, in that the Florida proposal gives judges and law enforcement officers more tools. Some of those tools remain vague, except that judges would be allowed to specifically consider a defendant's unlawful presence in the process of setting his or her bond and passing sentence.

McCollum's gubernatorial running opponent agrees:

McCollum is running for Governor of Florida on the Republican ticket. But his main Democratic competitor, Alex Sink, states she would make much the same attempt at enforcing stronger illegal immigrant laws if elected governor.

Sink's Press Office sent a letter to The Florida Independent stating that the federal government has failed to secure borders and crack down on illegal immigration. Therefore, she would impose stiff fines on companies that employ illegals and require state agencies to verify legal status when hiring state employees.

Sink, who is currently Florida's Chief Financial Officer, also promised that private companies would lose state contracts if it is found they knowingly hired illegals. She felt that Florida should examine the things that attract illegal immigrants to come here.

Florida mainly draws illegal immigrants from Cuba, the Caribbean countries and South America. Because of the multi-billion dollar citrus industry, migrant workers flock to Florida's shores. Not all of them have the proper papers.

Numerous charity groups and religious organizations here in Florida are well-known for helping migrant workers' children with back-to-school supplies, personal sundries and clothing, while remaining non-judgmental on whether the children's parents are here legally or not.

There is no word that Florida State Senator Mike Bennett (R) is giving up on his own draft of an Arizona-style bill (see previous Associated Content report here).

Sources (no direct quotes):

News Release: "Attorney General, Rep. Snyder Unveil Legislation to Crack Down on Illegal Immigration," Office of Florida Attorney General, 8/11/10.

"McCollum, state Rep. Snyder announce details of Arizona-style immigration law for Florida," Marcos Restrepo, The Florida Independent, updated version, 8/11/10.