Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) is set to be sent a sweeping immigration bill passed by Florida’s Republican-dominated legislature.
The bill would expand requirements for E-Verify, require hospitals that accept Medicaid to include a citizenship question, and devote $12 million to the governor’s immigrant relocation program, which included efforts such as the shipping of immigrants to Martha’s Vineyard last year, NBC Miami reported. DeSantis had previously praised the bill and expressed his willingness to sign it.
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“We won’t turn a blind eye to the dangers of Biden’s Border Crisis. We will continue to take steps to protect Floridians from reckless federal open-border policies,” DeSantis said previously.
State Republicans backed up his sentiment, arguing that the bill would send a clear signal to the Biden administration.
“We can’t solve the problem in Washington. But we can send a message that says in Florida, we’ve had enough,” Republican state Rep. Randy Fine said.
Democrats attacked the bill as potentially endangering immigrants.
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“This bill is politically driven, and it’s an anti-immigrant bill that will hurt and even kill undocumented immigrants,” Democratic state Rep. Susan Valdes said.
The bill is the latest of a legislative blitz from Republicans, who are looking to capitalize on their major midterm victory by the end of the legislative session.