The Florida legislature approves the ban on sanctuary cities by the GOP; DeSantis should sign the law

The Florida legislature on Thursday passed a prominent Republican bill banning sanctuary policies protecting undocumented immigrants and demanding that law enforcement officials cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

The bill was passed in the House by a vote of 68-45, with the Democrats opposing it shortly after being elected to the Senate by a 22 to 18 majority vote of parties, the report said. Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Governor Ron DeSantis supported the measure and should sign it.

"We are a stronger state when we protect our residents, promote community safety and respect the work of law enforcement at all levels," said DeSantis, a Republican, in a statement.

The legislation would require local officials to honor those detained for undocumented immigrants who are arrested or convicted of a crime, excluding victims and witnesses. It would prohibit local governments from adopting sanctuary policies to protect these immigrants from deportation and compel them to warn ICE when an inmate under detainee control is released. .

No city or county in Florida currently has sanctuary policy. But Republicans have said it would ensure compliance with federal immigration laws by preventing local and state officials from refusing to comply. Under the bill, the governor could suspend public servants who defied immigration laws and could be sued by the Attorney General to enforce the law.

Representative Elizabeth Fetterhoff, R-DeLand, told the Herald-Tribune: "This bill is not anti-immigrant and it is dangerously hypocritical to suggest otherwise."

"We are a nation of immigrants, with pride," said Fetterhoff. "But we are also a nation of laws."

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The bill was one of the most controversial in this legislative session, with several versions bouncing between the House and the Senate in the last two months. A deleted provision would have subjected officials who challenge immigration laws to heavy fines. Another section that was deleted would have exempted the Department of Childhood and Family from its obligations.

This sparked protests around the state and led the American Civil Liberties Union to warn immigrants against traveling to Florida. This should also lead to prosecution to cancel it.

Associated Press contributed to this report.