Latest news with #RoryDiamond
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘A nightmare': Critics blast Jacksonville's new limits on aid for undocumented immigrants
Local activists are urging supporters to boycott businesses owned by Jacksonville City Council members who voted in favor of a new immigration ordinance passed Tuesday night. The bill, which restricts the use of taxpayer dollars for services to undocumented immigrants, passed 11 to 7 after hours of heated debate and multiple amendments. While supporters say it's about fiscal responsibility, critics say it unfairly targets vulnerable communities. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< 'We passed Jacksonville's first ever prohibition of spending taxpayer money on illegal immigrants for services,' said Councilman Rory Diamond, who sponsored the bill. 'My colleagues wanted some exceptions… emergency services, military members, and others to prevent unintentional consequences.' Among the changes made before passage: carveouts for pregnant women, children, military families, and victims of sex and labor trafficking. Still, the measure drew emotional responses from community advocates. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Cuban-American community leader Clara Sowers said the bill could have a negative effect on immigrants in crisis. 'It's a nightmare,' said Sowers. 'Do you call JSO when you get beat up? Do you get in the ambulance if you're hurt? This bill stokes fear.' Now, the Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance is calling for a boycott of any business tied to council members who voted yes. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] The bill also requires the mayor's office to report on the number of undocumented immigrants receiving city-funded housing, as well as disclose data on DEI programs and federal grants. Mayor Donna Deegan has not yet signed the measure. 'She's in a tough situation,' said Sowers. 'No matter what she does, she'll be criticized.' Councilman Diamond had a message for the mayor: 'Have some guts, have some courage… sign it or veto it. Don't just play games with it.' Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Councilmembers debate bill preventing undocumented immigrants from using taxpayer-funded services
City Council members today debated a bill that would prevent undocumented immigrants from using taxpayer-funded services in Jacksonville. The bill would also require the Mayor to report to the council about the number of undocumented immigrants in public housing and the city's compliance with federal immigration laws. Essentially, the bill sponsored bans the city and anyone who gets city funding from providing services to or supporting people who are unlawfully in the United States. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< One big question that came up was whether hospitals would face penalties for providing care to an undocumented patient. 'If you are accepting essentially services paid for by taxpayer dollars here in Jacksonville, and you're not in the country legally, you shouldn't be able to get it,' said Councilman Rory Diamond, the sponsor of the bill. This discussion surrounding the city bill led to a lot of debate on Monday. Council member Rory Diamond wants to make sure taxpayer money does not go to undocumented immigrants in Jacksonville. But two amendments carved out some big exceptions today. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Under the first amendment, if a group knowingly gives money to undocumented immigrants, it will be punished. The second says UF Health, Kids Hope Alliances, and groups helping sex trafficking victims would be exempt. In addition, some council members who were unsure of the bill said it would put too much of a burden on local organizations and hospitals, who would have to worry that their good work would somehow get them in trouble. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] 'It concerns me that if a child, if the parent of a child, a family, needed some assistance, and not documented they're still human beings that live and coexist with us,' said Councilman Matt Carlucci. Councilman Diamond shared a different perspective. 'What's not humanitarian is saying, 'Hey, come to America. We'll give you everything for free.' And that's essentially what that policy would lead to. Just a welcome to Jacksonville, we'll give you everything for free. I don't want that. We want to say no, you need to be here legally,' said Councilman Diamond. Both of the amendments presented today passed. The bill moves to the finance committee on Tuesday, June 3, and then to the full city council next Tuesday, June 9. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Yahoo
‘We can fix that track': Jax Journey Forward Initiative highlights rising youth crime as focus
The first meeting of Jacksonville's 'Jax Journey Forward Initiative' was held in City Hall on Thursday, with leaders looking to develop a plan to tackle youth crime in the city. It's a heightened concern after officials say youth crime and youth violent crime have seen a recent rise in Jacksonville. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< 'But if we can grab that child, that young man right there and get him the resources, get him love, and get him community support, then we can fix that track,' Jacksonville City Councilman Rory Diamond said at the meeting. Possible solutions discussed include improving youth outcomes by focusing on literacy rates, which studies show is a key factor in later life outcomes. 'Supporting, by the time in high school, the programs that actually help them learn how to read and give them valuable skills, so they can be successful,' outlined Jax Journey Forward Board Chair W.C. Gentry. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Officials also outlined the importance of focusing less on arrests and more on providing crime diversion resources instead. 'We've learned that if a child is arrested and incarcerated, and put in the criminal system, that the chances of them continuing crime was great,' Gentry explained. Diamond also called for investing in a new community intake facility for youth offenders who have been arrested. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
