The Florida Legislature gave final approval Thursday to legislation that bans state and local government agencies from adopting so-called “sanctuary” policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
The bill is believed to be the first time in recent decades that Florida has adopted legislation cracking down on illegal immigrants.
Senate bill sponsor Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, was able to overcome opposition in his chamber and usher the legislation to DeSantis’s desk. “It’s about making sure we keep our communities safe,” Gruters said Thursday.
Rep. Elizabeth Fetterhoff, R-DeLand, responded that “this bill isn’t anti-immigrant and it’s dangerously disingenuous to suggest otherwise. We are a nation of immigrants, proudly so,” Fetterhoff said. “But we are also a nation of laws.”
The bill cleared the House 68-45 Thursday and now goes to DeSantis, who made the issue a top campaign pledge and is eager to sign the legislation.
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