Florida Makes It a State Offense to Be an Undocumented Immigrant
Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis signed two of the nation’s toughest immigration bills into law on February 13, 2025, following a special legislative session. These local changes are expected to enforce Donald Trump’s sweeping and controversial policies by making it a state offense to be an undocumented immigrant. We will discuss the new immigration rules and what might happen to the state’s foreign nationals.
What Are Florida’s New Immigration Rules?
Some key aspects of Florida’s updated immigration laws include new crimes and enhanced penalties. Any undocumented immigrant who is convicted of a capital felony could face a mandatory death penalty sentence, while voting illegally may result in a third-degree felony charge in the Sunshine State. Intentionally entering Florida without documentation also comes with a mandatory nine-month jail sentence.
The second bill also comes with changes for foreign students who are in the country illegally. These immigrants would be ineligible for in-state tuition at public colleges and universities with a July target date for enrollment reclassification.
How Will the New Immigration Laws be Enforced?
DeSantis’s new laws also set aside roughly $300 million to assist the state’s task force, spearheaded by former U.S. attorney Larry Keefe, in implementing these strict immigration policies. In addition to bolstering the police force, a portion of the funds will also go into a bonus program that pays a $1,000 incentive to officers who participate in immigration-related operations.
Specially trained Sheriffs’ deputies would now be able to process federally issued immigration detainers. That means law enforcement could keep inmates in jail for up to 48 hours before being picked up ICE and placed in an immigration detention facility. According to officials, the goal here is to avoid releasing undocumented criminals back into Florida’s community.
Who Could be Targeted by Florida’s Immigration Laws?
While any undocumented immigrant would be at risk for deportation under Florida’s guidelines, it appears that state officials are most concerned about those who are considered public and national security threats, and those who have been repeatedly deported. However, the recent agreement between Florida’s highway patrol department and ICE expands local police officer’s ability to interrogate, arrest, and detain immigrants. This increased level of street enforcement does cause some civil liberty concerns as this strict policy could lead to rampant racial and ethnic profiling.
Contact Us If You Are Arrested in Florida for Being an Undocumented Immigrant
If you have any questions about local immigration rules and how Florida now makes it a state offense to be an undocumented immigrant, contact The Umansky Law Firm right away. Our compassionate criminal defense team has extensive experience representing people charged with crimes, and we could represent you if you are caught up in these new laws.
