Causes.com
| 4.14.23
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Pushes For Harsh New Immigration Legislation
Do you agree with DeSantis' strict proposal?
What’s the story?
- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is pushing for a proposal that would crack down on the border crisis by penalizing those who aid undocumented immigrants and calling on doctors to ask patients their legal status as a condition of care, among other strict new measures.
- The proposal represents the strictest crackdown on immigration in the country since Arizona’s 2010 “show me your papers” law and is expected to pass as Republicans have supermajorities in both state chambers.
What is in the proposal?
- The bill would create legal consequences, possible third-degree felony charges, and five years of jail time for sheltering, hiring, and transporting undocumented immigrants.
- Under the proposal, a child driving a parent to work or a lawyer driving a client to an appointment could be charged for aiding and abetting an undocumented immigrant. Employers who hire workers without authorization could face penalties or jail time.
- The bill would require hospitals to inquire about patients’ immigration status and report data directly to state authorities. It would also invalidate out-of-state driver’s licenses if the holder is discovered to be undocumented.
- If passed, the legislation would ban funding from being used toward granting identification documents to undocumented immigrants, while enabling the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to assist federal authorities in immigration enforcement if necessary.
What is DeSantis saying?
- Gov. DeSantis stated that his package is a response to Biden’s “open borders agenda.”
- The legislation is part of DeSantis’ track record of anti-immigration policies. In Jan., he activated the National Guard to circumvent migrant boats in the Florida Keys and announced a state of emergency.
- DeSantis defended the package at a news conference in Feb. when he spoke from a lectern with the phrase “Biden’s Border Crisis” written on it. He said:
“We need to do everything in our power to protect the people of Florida from what’s going on at the border and the border crisis.”
“Florida is not a sanctuary state and we will uphold the rule of law.”
What are opponents saying?
- Critics and human rights activists fear the legislation will heighten racist tensions and impact undocumented residents living in the U.S. for a long time, enhancing fear and racial profiling.
- Opponents also point to how it could impact a state struggling with a prolonged labor shortage, particularly in fields where undocumented workers comprise much personnel, like in-home care, agriculture, and tourism.
- The proposal might discourage undocumented migrants from seeking medical attention because their doctor would be required to see proof of their immigration status, ultimately leading to deportation.
- The Southern Poverty Law Center stated they are prepared to challenge the legislation in court if it passes. Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet, the executive director of a non-profit, said:
“You are looking at a bill that creates an atmosphere where you could get targeted whether you are an immigrant, citizen or tourist. You don’t know people’s immigration status by looking at them.”
“The recent policies implemented by the Republican-led Florida Legislature demonstrate Governor DeSantis’ preference for fearmongering, promoting racial profiling, and damaging Florida’s economy, rather than supporting the state’s Hispanic population in their time of need.”
The big picture of immigration in Florida
- Unauthorized border crossings in the U.S. have grown yearly, with roughly 2.5 million recorded last year alone. Humanitarian crises in Haiti, Cuba, and Venezuela have led to a spike in migration to Florida, where there is an estimated 772,000 undocumented residents.
- According to the New York Times, 722,000 American citizens in Florida live in households with one or more undocumented immigrants.
- Florida’s immigration courts have the highest number of cases pending in the country, with 296,833 cases pending as of March 31.
Do you agree with DeSantis’ strict immigration proposal?
—Emma Kansiz
The Latest
-
IT: Israel escalates military operations in northern Gaza, and... How can you help your neighbors today?Welcome to Thursday, May 16th, mates... Israel is planning to escalate its military operations in northern Gaza, where 100,000 read more... -
The Latest: Israel Attacks North and South Gaza, Nowhere Left for CiviliansUpdated May 15, 2024, 1:00 p.m. Israel is planning to escalate its military operations in northern Gaza, where 100,000 read more... Israel -
Michael Cohen Takes the Stand in Trump Hush Money TrialUpdated May 15, 2024, 11:30 a.m. EST Michael Cohen, once Trump's personal lawyer, faced cross-examination in the former read more... Law Enforcement -
IT: 💊 Research uncovers the impact of shield laws in abortion pill access, and... Are you ready to vote?Welcome to Tuesday, May 14th, subscribers... New research finds that "shield laws" have allowed abortion pill access to remain read more...
Climate & Consumption
Health & Hunger
Politics & Policy
Safety & Security
DeSantis claims Florida is a law and order state but this legislation is anything but when lawyers can be charged with a felony for driving a client they represent to a court hearing, and doctors can not follow the Hippocratic Oath in treating patients which would result in their losing their professional accreditation for practicing their profession as require by their professional ethics.
Further more for DeSantis to declare the US has an “Open” border makes him nothing more than a Putin tool spreading Russian propaganda that will have the direct opposite effect than this legislation is trying to do, reduce immigration. Instead the headline news around the world is Florida Governor says the US Border is open so go pack your bags and start walking.
Nor are the economic costs of this legislation considered especially since 80% of Florida State revenues come from sales tax since Florida is a no state tax state which everyone including illegal immigrants & tourists pay. And with 90% of illegal immigrants being people overstaying visas the line between tourist and illegal immigrant is blurred. Other considerations are:
(1) E-verify system expensive & inaccurate will cost employers a minimum of 13.5M hours (not counting legal & medical service users for clients & patients)
(2) the economic engine of many of the sectors of Florida: caring for children, elderly, and sick, putting food on tables, teaching students, lawn care, building trades, etc. are staffed with immigrants keeping the state economically and culturally vibrant.
(3) immigrants without a documented status pay $600M annually in state and local taxes.
(4) 281,000 immigrants pay tuition and fees at state colleges and 36% of Florida’s small businesses are immigrant-owned
https://floridaphoenix.com/2023/02/23/gov-desantis-plans-legislative-attack-on-floridas-undocumented-immigrants/
Here comes fascist autocrat DeSantis with another bright idea. So now we want MD's to be responsible for determining someone's immigration status before providing care. So much for the Hippocratic oath. And if I see a person in need of help, I can be charged with a felony for helping them without determining their immigration status? Now the State of Florida can invalidate the driver's license issued by another state because they don't agree with their laws? Can religious leaders be charged if their religion directs them to welcome the stranger and help those in need? What crimes do people who offer any degree of support to immigrants face? What about monetary contributions to immigrant groups? Is that a crime? Is my free speech restricted if it aids immigrants? Any Christian who supports this should reread their Bible because this is not consistent with what Jesus said. Nor is it consistent with the Constitution. There is no open border policy. Most people who cross illegally are caught. This is just another mean spirited and hateful idea that furthers DeSantis' culture war. The thing that makes all this so phenomonally stupid is that we desperately need immigrants. They pay taxes and do a lot of the jobs Americans simply won't do. Their children grow up to be some of the most driven and innovative members of our society. America's success has always been driven by immigrants and without constantly replenishing that source we stagnate. We are cutting our own throats by closing our doors.
Has Support strict immigration laws on our border. All the drugs. The sin criminals are allowed to come in. There's no filter. This is our country we built it and now it's been turned into Venezuela.
Wonder if the Dumber than a DeDoorknob will crawl under his desk in the dark of night to sign this one like he did with the 6 week abortion ban he signed last night? Proving once again, he's SCARED!
Well this is just shocking! Mr. DeSantis is going to make Florida a big gambling State! I know the people there have voted against that at least 4 different times, so they don't want it. Why would DeSantis want a gambling state? Oh yeah, money laundering, that is the only other thing that could benefit him there. Wake up, smell the toast. The people that live there are in fear!
What's going on at the border is an absoute joke. Biden should have been impeached if not for that than for allowing a Chinese Spy balloon to fly over our bases in the US collecting data. This Country is becomming a political joke and things need to change before we change the entire Congress.
It's time to address the forever rising amount of illegal immagrants. We need to take a stand against Biden's open boarders. This is causing a lot ofpmeu and pain to our great nation.
I'm felling sad, about this situation in Florida it causes fear in the population,and created a negative impact on the Florida economy
It will impact negative the Florida economy
Except Unless he send the fascist republican cubans back to Cuba,
I think this is illegal under the Constitution, if not a violation of medical ethics. Doctors cannot deny someone care, and they would be tempted to if they doubted someone's citizenship.
Either way, DeSantis has no power over immigration. He's the governor of a sinking banana republic that's trying to take away its residents' rights and freedoms, and is too extreme to ever win a general election for President.
Ron DeFascist: Making Florida Stupid. This is textbook FASCISM but you're no longer able to study history in Magastan.
I propose Desantis Leave the USA and live in a country more suited to his ideas.!
WE do need immigration reform BUT not his!
He is a small man with nothing but hatred in his little heart.
Ron DeSantis wants doctors to ask patients their legal status as a condition of care? He has no heart, he is a souless individual, playing to the far right. How I long for more moderate candidates from both sides of the isle!
This country has been moving backwards in steps "for that more perfect Union" and being a symbol of the "American Dream." With the dominance of the new Republican Party, we are now the country of racism, ignorance and hate. It's truly heartbreaking.
According to federal law, illegals are responsible to pay for their own way. The Public Purse is not to be used.
Taking action against groups or people involved with Human trafficking will reduce their suffering.
Does NaziRon think cruelty will make him more popular?
Need reforms, but not that!
CAUSES TELLS ME, THEN ASKS: "Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is pushing for a proposal that would crack down on the border crisis: penalizing those who aid undocumented immigrants, calling on doctors to ask patients their legal status as a condition of care, and more. Do you agree with DeSantis' strict proposal?" ME: DeSantis is an extreme autocratiic dictator enamoured with political power, grabbing what he can and to hell with who he harms. Ignore medical advice on COVID. Endorse white suppremitist history of race relations. Cut help for trans kids. Denigrate LGBTQ people. Permit no help or charity or medical assistance for migrants (assuming, of course, that if one falls ill there's no chance of transmitting that illness?). It goes on and on. IMHO, he's a major symbol of what's wrong with America. And people want him for President? Forget not that Hitler was elected, too.
Desantis is a weak man!!
Another fascist move by Ron Mussolini DeFascist
Our country is being invaded by drug lords, human traffickers, rapist and thieves.
The small town I live in has become a battleground with shootings just about every other day. Most of these happen in early morning hours (6am-8am) or afternoon. It's sad to think that at any given moment, we could get hit by a stray bullet. This wasn't the case a couple of years ago. What has happened to our society?