A few hours ago Attorney General Bill McCollum announced plans to bring a law that would go even further than the the one in Arizona. The proposed law will be introduced in the next legislative session.
" ORLANDO, Fla. -- Attorney General Bill McCollum announced plans Wednesday to bring a law similar to the controversial Arizona immigration law to Florida. The proposed Florida law would go even further than the one in Arizona.
The proposed law will be introduced in the next legislative session. McCollum said the bill is much stronger than the law Arizona just passed. Supporters say they've made enough changes that they can get the bill past a federal challenge.
It was no secret Attorney General Bill McCollum is a big supporter of the Arizona immigration law and it's sure to ignite similar controversy in Florida. McCollum announced the new legislation Wednesday morning, joined by several Florida lawmakers, including State Representative William Snyder of Stuart, who wrote the bill.
It would require law enforcement officers to check someone's immigration status in the course of a regular arrest or traffic stop if the officer has a reasonable suspicion that person might be illegal. That's the same kind of language that has sparked nationwide protests against the Arizona law; but, McCollum told WFTV, the Florida version specifically prohibits racial profiling.
“It's not how you look, it's not what you say, in terms of your language or characteristics or national origin. That's clearly spelled out in the bill. We're doing everything we can to assure people that that is not the order of the day,” McCollum said.
McCollum points out that the Florida immigration law would also create some new misdemeanors for immigrants who fail to have their documentation when they're asked to present it. Also, they could face up to 20 days in jail. The law would also increase jail time for illegal immigrants who are convicted of any other crime.
McCollum is in the middle of a heated campaign for governor. He insists this is all coming out now, because he and the other lawmakers were waiting to see how the federal court would handle a challenge to the Arizona law.
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