Florida Governor Bans Sanctuary Cities
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Friday signed a controversial measure that requires law enforcement to cooperate with federal authorities.
The law forbids jails from ignoring detainer requests from ICE and gives police the go-ahead to detain individuals they suspect are in the country illegally. Officials who refuse to obey the new policy face removal and possible litigation.
“Sanctuary cities basically create law-free zones where people can come to our state illegally and our country illegally, commit criminal offenses and then just walk right out the door and continue to do it,” said DeSantis.
As it stands, there are no sanctuary cities in Florida.
Featured at the signing ceremony on Friday was Kiyan Michael of Jacksonville, whose son was killed by a driver who had been deported twice.
“This is not about illegal aliens who are here trying to provide for their families,” explains Florida State Senator Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota). “This is about criminal illegal aliens who have broken additional laws while they’re here.”
Critics insist the new policy will erode trust between immigrant communities and police, exacerbate police profiling, and lead to increased deportations over minor offenses.
Others worry the law will harm industries that rely on immigrant workers (such as hospitality and agriculture).
“[The law] is a threat to Florida’s reputation, our public safety, our ability to welcome tourists and recruit new workers, and ultimately, our economy,” reads a letter to lawmakers signed by more than 120 Florida business executives.
The new law, which goes into effect in July unless challenged in court, makes Florida the tenth state to ban sanctuary policies. California, Washington, DC, and nine other states have laws supporting sanctuary policies.
It’s a bizarre world we live in when a state has to enact a law that essentially says the state should uphold the laws it already put in place – and then 120 businessmen say no, don’t do that… we would prefer to ignore the previous laws for our own enterprising benefits.
the illegals commit crime after crime and as long as we support this problem will be killed and they can do it over and over. it’s not easy but the law is the law. It’s a shame it has to come to this but it’s better to send the crimicals back where they came from and place them in their jails and not our because then they have it to easy. if they go home to their jails at least they won’t have the luxurious in our prsions. I feel it’s time the American people take a stand for what is right and not what is wrong al the time. our police get no respect at all. my daughter and I watch cop shows all the time and what it takes to bring someone to justice is sickening, they have more rights then average person.
WHEN THE AUTHORIES PICK AND CHOICE THE LAWS THEY WONT TO OBAY. THEN THEY HAVE BROKE THE LAW. TIME TO PICK THERE ASSES UP AND SHOW THEM THE DOOR. IF THEY CANT PUT THE GOOD OF AMERICANS AND THIS NATION FIRST. THEY OUR TAX DOLLARS SHOULD NOT BE PAYING . BE GONE
Thank you Governor for standing up for US Citizens and not turning FL. into another crime ridden state like CA. and NY.