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March 15, 2019At present, every jurisdiction in Florida complies with federal immigration laws. There are no so-called "sanctuaries" where these laws are not followed.
The Senate Infrastructure and Security Committee advanced (5-3) a proposal that would mandate local jurisdictions comply with all requests made by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to hold individuals 48 hours beyond the time they would otherwise be released. Complying with detainer requests is and should remain at the discretion of the county.
FCCB outlined its opposition to the proposal in a letter to Senator Joe Gruters, the bill sponsor. The current bill would shift cost burdens to counties. It violates subsidiarity and draws on rhetoric that obscures the current state of immigration law. It would likely undermine public safety and law enforcement efforts.
We share the concern that our immigration system is in need of reform. However, rather than SB 168, thoughtful, bipartisan reform at the federal level is needed to address our immigration challenges.
