Thursday, August 12, 2010

Florida AG proposes tougher illegal immigrant curbs

From Barbara Liston of Reuters on Aug. 11:
Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum on Wednesday proposed tougher curbs against illegal migrants in his melting-pot state which he said would go "one step further" than a similar contested Arizona law.

The proposal by McCollum, who is lagging in a race to become the Republican candidate for governor, was certain to thrust Florida into the heated immigration debate that is a major issue ahead of November 2 midterm Congressional elections.

"This legislation will provide new enforcement tools for protecting our citizens and will help our state fight the ongoing problem created by illegal immigration," McCollum said, presenting the proposed measures at an event in Orlando.

"Florida will not be a sanctuary state for illegal aliens," added McCollum, accompanied by Representative Will Snyder.

The legislation will require Florida law enforcement officials to check a suspected illegal immigrant's status in the course of a stop, or a violation of another law. This goes beyond the existing situation in the state where officers are allowed to check immigration status, but not required to.

Florida, especially its southern portion, is a major U.S. migration destination for nationals from the Caribbean and Latin America, making it a cultural and racial melting-pot.

Many migrants work in the Sunshine State's $9 billion citrus sector, or in other farm industries and tourism.

In the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, Democrats hold majorities. But public opinion polls show Republicans gaining ground with an agenda that includes calls for cracking down on illegal immigration.

McCollum's office said the proposed Florida legislation goes "one step further" than a similar law introduced in Arizona, which has triggered protests and a constitutional challenge from President Barack Obama's administration.

"I think Arizona is going to want this law," McCollum said.

Earlier this year, the Arizona legislature passed a law to try to drive illegal immigrants out of the state and stem the flow of human and drug smugglers over the border from Mexico.

A federal judge has since blocked the Arizona law's most controversial provisions, handing a victory to the Obama administration, which argued the measure was unconstitutional.

1 comments:

Andrew33 said...

I am a resident of Florida. I am not too thrilled with any of our candidates except Alan West.

Rubio will say whatever it takes to get elected, and he was however slightly involved with the financial scandal that took down much of the Crist machine in the REC. Overall, Rubio isn't horrible, but I worry that more socially conservative N.Florida conservatives won't like Rubio and may go for (hold your nose) Crist.

McCullum is okay, but he needs more energy. He doesn't seem excited about the campaign at all. It's like he's got the Fred Thompson laziness syndrome of 08.

Scott-scumbag. I hate to say this, but I think voting for the Billonaire Democrat that used to be a Republican before he was a Democrat may be a better choice than Scott. I don't see Scott's Governorship as being any better than BHO's occupation of the Oval Office.

I like Rooney. West is in my District so I am voting for him, but I can't support Joe Budd after all that unnecessary drama with Ed Lynch.

So, is it just me, or is our crop of pro-liberty (libertarian leaning) pickings rather thin this year?

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