Bill proposes work permits for immigrants
State Sen. Simmons also wants to let undocumented residents drive legally
TALLAHASSEE — A powerful state senator from Central Florida says he will propose legislation to add protections for undocumented residents living and working in the Sunshine State.
Sen. David Simmons says his proposal would give undocumented immigrants legal permits to work and drive in Florida, in an effort to bring them “out of the shadows” and have them follow state laws. Such a policy change would affect about 800,000 undocumented immigrants in the state.
“They are already working, and they are already driving,” said Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, chair of his chamber’s Judiciary Committee “This is not a path to citizenship. This is about dealing with this in a matter that is not demagoguing individuals.”
At the same time, Sen. Joe Gruters, who doubles as the chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, said he want to further crack down on illegal immigration.
One measure “would enhance penalties for convicted and deported criminals who re-enter the United States illegally,” Gruters said in a text message.
Another would require all Florida employers to use E-Verify, a federal electronic system that checks employees’ eligibility to work in the U.S.
With President Donald Trump at the top of the ticket on next year’s ballot, the immigration measures could be an important tool in Florida, a state considered crucial for a White House win and a place where the issue has aided GOP candidates.
For example, Gov. Ron DeSantis used a hard-line stance on immigration as part of a successful playbook in his bid for governor last year.
Since taking office in January, DeSantis, whose endorsement by President Donald Trump helped boost him to victory in November — was heavily involved in the passage of a sanctuary city ban sponsored by Gruters. The law, which went into effect on July 1, is being challenged in federal court.
The governor’s office did not respond when asked if DeSantis would support any of the immigration proposals next session. Gruters said it is “too early” for the governor to be involved in his bills.
With the passage of the sanctuary city ban, Gruters already allowed the governor to deliver on one of his campaign promises. And the Sarasota Republican may help DeSantis make good on another immigration pledge with the E-Verify proposal, which has faced fierce opposition from Florida agricultural and business interests in the past.
Simmons’ softer approach to immigration policy may be a hard sell for his fellow Republicans, especially in an election year. Similar efforts previously have failed to gain traction in the Republicancontrolled Legislature.
But allowing undocumented
immigrants to work and drive legally in Florida could resonate among Hispanic voters — a key constituency in the Sunshine State — at a time when immigrant communities are fearful of the new sanctuary city law.
While the Republicans’ crackdown on illegal immigration may help court conservative
voters in advance of next year’s elections, Democrats have lambasted the policies.
“These pieces of legislation are nothing more than a reflection of the President’s xenophobic strategy of demonizing our immigrant communities and firing up the Republican base ahead of the 2020 election,” said Sen. Janet Cruz, DTampa.
Cruz is more aligned to what Simmons is proposing.
“Florida’s economic future is dependent on continuing to build our reputation as a welcoming state that values diversity and inclusion,” Cruz said. “Instead of driving undocumented immigrants further into the shadows, we should be doing all we can to ensure they have the ability to work legally, pay taxes, and live without fear of being separated from their families.”