Florida has some of the strictest immigration laws in the nation. Aside from mandating local police to cooperate with federal authorities, the Sunshine State also requires hospitals to ask patients for their immigration status, for example. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has made it clear that the state will not support those who choose to cross in the US illegally. But now it seems that stance isn’t universal, as some Florida sheriffs are pushing for a path to citizenship for many illegals.
Sheriffs Going Soft on Illegals?
The State Immigration Enforcement Council is made up of four sheriffs and four city police chiefs. These members were appointed by DeSantis and state Republicans and were all on board for tough immigration policies at the time. Yet now some of them seem to have a change of heart when it comes to illegals and have drafted a letter to President Donald Trump, asking for a more liberal approach.
Polk County Sherriff Grady Judd spoke during a virtual meeting, opining that deportations should be focused on the illegals committing additional crimes once they’re here, not those who are working and contributing to society.
“To make sure that the top priority is to remove these folks that are violating the law, these people who've been through the immigration system, these people who have avoided the immigration system and snuck into the United States, but there are those here that are working hard. They have their kids in college or in school. They're going to church on Sunday. They’re not violating the law, and … they are living the American dream and are being very productive and … doing good in this country.”
It’s not that they want to stop deportations. Some of the council members just want to make a distinction between those still actively committing crimes and those who work, pay taxes, and take care of their families while not breaking any other laws beyond crossing the border without permission. Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummel agreed with Judd and said Congress needs to do something. “They need to get off their butts and they need to fix it,” he said.
Judd explained they weren’t seeking a “free pass” for illegals to stay in the country. “We’re going to give you five years, and you’ve got to learn to speak English, you’ve got to pay a fine for coming into the country illegally, a civil fine,” he said. “And you’ve got to not be on the taxpayer dollar, and you’ve got to work, and you’ve got to put your kids in school, and we already know those people who are doing that.”
Not everyone agrees with the idea, though. Jacksonville Sheriff TK Waters, who also serves on the council, remarked: “As Sheriff, I want to reaffirm that our agency has and always will work hand-in-hand with our state and federal partners to uphold the laws and priorities established by our elected leaders. I was not on the call referenced and do not share or endorse the comments made by others.”
The debate is an old one. There are those who feel immigrants who come into the country and work hard, pay their bills, take care of their families, and don’t cause any trouble or harm should have a pathway to citizenship. They’ve already proven that, other than breaking the law by coming into the country illegally in the first place, they can be productive members of society. On the other hand, opponents argue that the law is the law. If you do the crime, you do the time – or be deported, as it were.
