The Florida House on Monday approved a measure that would prohibit municipalities and counties from accepting identification cards or documents issued by groups that have provided such credentials to people who are in the country illegally.
The Republican-dominated House voted 81-32 to approve the bill (HB 1451) amid a debate about whether the identification documents, commonly known as “community” ID cards, are helpful tools for local officials or incentives for illegal immigration.
Under the measure, local governments could not accept documents issued by a person or entity that “knowingly issues such identification cards or documents to individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States.”
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The proposal is a continuation of efforts by the Florida Legislature in recent years to crack down on illegal immigration.
A measure passed by state lawmakers last year prohibited local governments from providing money for issuing identification cards to undocumented immigrants.
Several Democrats who opposed this year’s bill argued Monday that some law enforcement officials in Florida have supported the use of community ID cards. Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, likened the identification documents to “community safety” programs.
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Eskamani argued that community ID cards cannot be used for things such as driving and voting. “I really do encourage folks to think about community IDs beyond the debate about immigration. Look at it as a tool for public safety, to make sure that everyone can receive critical assistance that’s rightfully theirs, including during a crisis,” Eskamani said.
A House analysis of the measure approved Monday said that community ID cards can “enable residents to provide a form of identification to law enforcement, schools, organizations, and social service agencies.”
Rep. Berny Jacques, a Seminole Republican who is a sponsor of the measure, said it would help cut down on illegal immigration by removing “incentives” for people to enter the country.
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“In addition to the drain of the social services, in addition to fentanyl that has taken the lives of some of our own citizens, we have criminals lurking,” Jacques said.
A Senate version of the bill (SB 1174) is ready for a floor vote.
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