Florida’s explosive immigration crackdown just got even crazier with latest proposal: “Strong stance against illegal immigration”
Florida – Florida lawmakers have introduced a sweeping package of immigration-related bills that supporters say are meant to make enforcement stricter, limit access to state benefits, and hold people who are residing in the country illegally more accountable.
The main part of the idea is a rule that would automatically blame an illegal immigrant’s insurance company if that person gets into a car accident in Florida, regardless of the specific circumstances of the crash.
Senator Jonathan Martin and Representative Berny Jacques filed Senate Bill 1380 and House Bill 1307 on January 13. These bills are part of the legislative package. Supporters say that the guidelines are aimed to stop illegal immigrants from coming to Florida by closing what they call “loopholes” in the laws that govern employment, licensing, financial services, and insurance.
The plan says that all education, testing, and licensing for commercial driver’s licenses would only be done in English. The measures would also make it so that illegal immigrants are not considered covered employees under Florida’s Workers’ Compensation statute. Because of this, businesses that intentionally hire illegal immigrants would have to pay for any accidents that happen on the job themselves, instead of using workers’ compensation.
Businesses would also have to use the federal E-Verify system when they filed a workers’ compensation claim. This would add another level of verification for employment. The package would also stop illegal immigrants from getting any license from the Florida Department of Financial Services. This would make it further harder for them to get jobs and services that are regulated by the state.
There are also restrictions on finances and housing. The legislation would stop illegal immigrants from using identification documents to open bank accounts or get cashier’s checks at state-chartered banks. They would also stop illegal immigrants from getting help with their down payments and silent second mortgages, which are meant to help people buy their first house.
The part of the package that has caused the most debate is the one about traffic accidents. If the law passes, insurance companies in Florida would have to take responsibility for any car accident that involves an illegal immigrant. Supporters say this rule is meant to protect drivers who follow the rules and make sure that insurance, not victims, pay for these kinds of accidents.
Blaise Ingoglia, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer and one of the people behind the proposal, said the legislation is built on the state’s current approach to enforcing immigration laws.
“We must continue the fight against illegal immigration and put an end to the harm that has come to law-abiding citizens at the hands of illegal immigrants who should have never been in our country in the first place,” said Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia.
“With this legislation, we will build on Florida’s strong stance against illegal immigration, and we will create even more deterrents for illegal immigrants trying to enter our state.”
The proposed legislation fits in with other immigration measures that are already going on in the state. Florida officials have been talking a lot lately about what they call the biggest joint immigration enforcement action in the history of federal immigration authorities. A coordinated operation by state, municipal, and federal agencies has led to the arrest of more than 10,400 illegal immigrants over the course of eight months.
Governor Ron DeSantis says that Florida’s increased use of 287(g) agreements, which let local police help federal immigration officials, is to blame for the results. The governor noted that these relationships made it possible for law enforcement to work in all 67 counties, with hundreds of local agencies taking part. State authorities argue that Operation Tidal Wave highlights Florida’s commitment to strict immigration enforcement and how state-level policies may affect what happens on the ground.
The proposed bill package and the current enforcement actions show that Florida continues to strive to make immigration laws stronger and work more closely with federal officials. Supporters say the measures are necessary to stop crime, but critics say they pose legal and moral issues. For now, the law is moving forward as part of a larger discussion over how the state should deal with immigration within their own boundaries.
