Battle of the bills? Several state lawmakers introduce efforts to toughen E-Verify measures
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WLFA) — After three back-to-back special sessions on illegal immigration and a bill to crack down on the issue, Florida state lawmakers say these efforts are far from over.
Not only is Governor Ron DeSantis pushing these efforts forward, the legislature is still filing bills on the issue.
During the last special session on illegal immigration, a key debate between lawmakers was E-Verify. Looking at ways to bolster the process to verify workers' citizenship here in the state, that dispute has only continued as we approach regular session, which is now just days away.
Weeks ago, Governor Ron DeSantis and the state legislature passed what's being called the 'toughest' immigration bill in the country. However, efforts to address immigration only continue at the statehouse.
Not one, not two, but so far three state lawmakers are taking aim at the federal program E-Verify.
'If you're employing somebody, you need to run them through the system to make sure that they are able to work legally here in our state and in our country,' said Representative Berny Jacques, (R-Seminole).
Currently Florida law requires businesses with at least 25 employees to verify workers' citizenship status. Representative Jacques looks to extend this for all employers to use E-Verify.
'Even though we just passed the strongest anti-illegal Immigration bill during the last special session, there's still more to be done,' said Rep. Jacques. 'Florida is not a destination place for illegal aliens. Go somewhere else, in fact, just stay out of our country.'
This is not the first effort we have seen this year on the matter, Democrats have introduced similar legislation that enforce harsher penalties like permanent revocation of business licenses, if caught employing unauthorized workers.
'If you have a system that allows for basically, you know, objectively large loopholes and gaps, you should not be beating your chest about how we're the toughest on illegal immigration in the country,' said State Senator Jason Pizzo, (D-Miami).
Senator Pizzo criticized Jacques' bill calling it toothless and instead touts the bill he filed last week.
'It's a good start if it was on his own. However, what it translates to or what it seems like is let's go ahead and write down that we're tough, but if you don't put an enforcement or a penalty provision in a bill, you're not being serious,' said Sen. Pizzo.
Pizzo adds that his bill actually has teeth, including fines varying from $10,000-$5000,000 and temporary or permanent license suspensions based on their violations.
'I have heard he put a bill forward and I hope he's doing it in good faith because this is not a member that's been with us on all of these fights against illegal immigration,' said Rep. Jacques.
When questioned on the similarity of Senator Pizzo and his bills, Representative Jacques said he is open to working with anyone at the capitol to push forward this effort.
'I welcome all partners, and I put the call out for anybody who will join us in this effort to make sure that E-Verify applies to all employers. No exceptions, no excuses,' said Rep. Jacques.
Adding to the list, Republican State Senator Blaise Ingoglia recently filed legislation on illegal immigration, which requires all employers to use E-Verify for all employees, a zero tolerance for companies knowingly hiring illegal immigrants, including fines up to $500,000, and creates a cause of action to sue the employer of an illegal immigrant that injured or kills someone.
With nearly three identical bills and democrats and republicans tackling the same issue, is there a chance they can join forces?
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