Today, the Republican-controlled legislature passed the final version of SB 168, a bill that would force local law enforcement to act as immigration agents and detain and deport members of immigrant communities. The bill is now heading to Governor DeSantis’s desk.

Terrie Rizzo, chair of the Florida Democratic Party stated:

“Today, Democratic legislators offered multiple amendments to ensure that SB 168 would not cause harm to our asylum seekers, DACA recipients, veterans and TPS holders –– the Republican-controlled legislature rejected them all. Republicans in the legislature have placed Florida at the top of the list of states that attempt to villainize immigrant communities, by sending SB168 to the Governor’s desk. Our state was once a place that welcomed immigrants looking for a better future, but now it would become the Florida GOP deportation and family separation machine. Not only does SB 168 stoke anti-immigrant hatred, it makes no exceptions for Venezuelans, Cubans, and Nicaraguans fleeing authoritarian regimes.”