Florida lawmakers advanced a series of hardline immigration bills on Wednesday, including a controversial provision that would impose mandatory death sentences on undocumented immigrants convicted of first-degree murder or the rape of a child.
The death penalty provision is included in bills (HB 3C and SB 4-C) that also criminalize the act of undocumented immigrants over the age of 18 “knowingly” entering Florida after evading federal immigration inspection.
First-time offenders would face a nine-month jail sentence, while repeat offenders would be charged with a felony carrying a minimum sentence of one year and one day in prison.
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The Republican-controlled House Budget Committee approved the House version of the bill in a 22-8 party-line vote, while the Senate committee passed its version in an 11-7 vote.
The bills are part of a broader legislative package aimed at strengthening Florida’s immigration enforcement efforts. Another key proposal (HB 1C and SB 2-C) would create a State Board of Immigration Enforcement composed of the governor, agriculture commissioner, attorney general, and state chief financial officer.
The board would coordinate with federal authorities and allocate $250 million in grants to local law enforcement agencies to assist with immigration enforcement. Decisions by the board would require unanimous approval.
One of the legislation’s most contentious provisions is a provision that would eliminate in-state tuition rates for undocumented immigrant students at Florida colleges and universities. Critics argue that this measure would harm students who are already enrolled and working toward their degrees.
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Special Session
Tensions between Republican lawmakers and Governor Ron DeSantis have simmered follwoing debate on the TRUMP Act. The governor initially called for a session to address illegal immigration and other issues but clashed with legislative leaders over their approach.
Last month, House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton abruptly ended DeSantis’ special session and launched their own, passing a bill that would have shifted immigration enforcement authority to the state’s agriculture commissioner.
DeSantis threatened to veto the bill, arguing that it would undermine Florida’s efforts to combat illegal immigration. “This bill masquerades as an enforcement bill, but it makes Florida weaker,” DeSantis said in an interview. “It takes away all the powers of the governor and state agencies currently fighting illegal immigration and transfers it to the Commissioner of Agriculture. This is not what the people of Florida want.”
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However, earlier this week, the Florida Legislature announced it would convene a special session on Tuesday to address immigration enforcement after Republican leaders and Governor Ron DeSantis reached an agreement, ending a weeks-long public dispute.
Florida Senate President Ben Albritton and House Speaker Daniel Perez issued a joint proclamation calling for the special session, and Governor DeSantis praised the move on social media.
In a video posted on X, DeSantis said, “I’m happy to see the Florida legislature returning to special session and considering a package of legislation that, if enacted, will make Florida the strongest in the country in combating illegal immigration and assist the Trump Administration in fulfilling its mandate to end the illegal immigration crisis once and for all.”
The proposed legislation, outlined in a summary released by the Florida Legislature, includes several sweeping measures designed to crack down on illegal immigration and bolster enforcement efforts. Key provisions include:
- State Immigration Enforcement Council: The creation of a council consisting of four sheriffs and four police chiefs. The sheriffs will be appointed by the House speaker and Senate president, while the police chiefs will be appointed by the governor, attorney general, chief financial officer, and agriculture commissioner.
- Stronger Penalties for Crimes: Enhanced penalties for illegal immigrants convicted of crimes, including a mandatory death penalty for undocumented immigrants who commit murder or child rape.
- State-Level Immigration Crimes: Establishing state-level crimes for illegally entering or re-entering Florida.
- Funding for Law Enforcement: Allocating $250 million in grants to support law enforcement agencies in immigration-related efforts.
- Voting Restrictions: Imposing felony charges on illegal immigrants who vote and on anyone who assists them in voting.
- ICE Reporting Requirements: Mandating that county jails report inmates’ immigration status to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
- In-State Tuition Changes: Ending in-state tuition for students who are not U.S. citizens or legal residents.
- Law Enforcement Incentives: Creating incentives for Floridians to join law enforcement agencies.
- Federal Partnership: Solidifying the state’s partnership with the federal government on immigration enforcement.
If passed, the proposed measures would position Florida as one of the most authoritarian states on illegal immigration, aligning closely with the policies of the Trump administration.
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