DeSantis' New Immigration Bill Leaves Latino Religious Groups Terrified

Photo by© Beth Baisch

DeSantis-backed immigration strikes fear into Florida Latino religious groups.

A law that would make it a crime to transport persons who might be in the country illegally is coming under increasing fire from Latino evangelicals and others who work with immigrants.

The law is part of an immigrant crackdown by the Republicans in the state, particularly Gov. Ron DeSantis, who himself is of Italian descent.

Religious groups and leaders are concerned about practicing their faith and carrying out their pastoral responsibilities under the bill's transportation provision.

Spring Hill, Florida, state senator Blaise Ingoglia has introduced the A section in the bill, SB1718.

The section classifies a third-degree crime for anyone who transports an individual who has entered the United States in violation of law and has not been inspected by the Federal Government since their unlawful entry from another country.

On a party-line vote of 15-5, the legislation passed the Florida Senate Rules Committee this March.

Two Republican Latino senators, Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez of Doral and Sen. Ileana Garcia of Miami, backed the bill. On the other hand, Latino Democrat, Sen. Victor Torres of Kissimmee, voted against the new measures. The bill is still in the House and awaiting the entire Senate's vote.

Along the party lines

In their news releases, Garcia and Rodriguez underlined the issue of human trafficking and said the bill would assist in combating it.

Both representatives parroted identical bullet points to illustrate the bill's features. However, these talking points failed to address the transportation clause, which led religious organizations to oppose the legislation.

Garcia claimed that the media and the "extreme left" lied about the law.

While children can attend public schools, and some clinics offer health care regardless of citizenship or legal status, many social services are not accessible to those without legal status.

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