Susie
05-08-2008, 09:42 PM
Immigration legislation falls short
By Maura Possley
The Bradenton Herald (FL), May 6, 2008
http://www.bradenton.com/local/story/583237.html
As spring session drew to a close in Tallahassee, legislation aimed at controversial immigration issues failed to pass muster, leaving activists to feel their efforts were in vain.
Congress' lack of action last year on immigration policy left states, including Florida, to take up the issue individually.
More than 1,100 such bills were introduced in statehouses this year, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, which analyzed legislation from January to March.
About 40 of those bills were introduced by lawmakers in Florida, one of 21 state governments with more than 21 pieces of immigration legislation on their agendas, it said.
'We all knew we had an uphill battle, I don't think there's any question about that,' said David Caulkett, vice president of Floridians for Immigration Enforcement.
Legislation supported by his organization, which carried much weight but failed to move, included cracking down on employers who hire illegal immigrants or local law enforcement identifying illegal immigrants during jailhouse booking.
'There are always contentious issues,' said Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton. 'You say, 'How could that not have passed,' but it's because there was another priority higher than mine.'
A bill filed by the senator that failed to pass would have forced jailed illegal immigrants convicted of nonviolent crimes who had served half their sentence to return to their home country.
Other measures considered by lawmakers here and nationwide focused on driver's licenses and identification, human trafficking, education, health, legal services and voting, according to the NCSL.
In a tight budget year with a lingering November election, the issue remained at a standstill.
'Given all the real issues that Florida faces and the economy, to us it really felt like political posturing on the part of the legislators,' said Maria Rodriguez, executive director of the Florida Immigrant Coalition. 'It's time and effort and money going to something they can address.'
Caulkett said the issue was critical regardless of the state's pocketbook.
'We need the rule of law,' he said. 'We need enforcement regardless of what the economic ramifications are.'
With session in the rearview mirror, activists say immigration is hardly going to disappear from the state or national agenda. They say it must be addressed.
'We will be back next year and we'll have bills and sponsors,' Caulkett said. 'And we will start working on that this summer.'
By Maura Possley
The Bradenton Herald (FL), May 6, 2008
http://www.bradenton.com/local/story/583237.html
As spring session drew to a close in Tallahassee, legislation aimed at controversial immigration issues failed to pass muster, leaving activists to feel their efforts were in vain.
Congress' lack of action last year on immigration policy left states, including Florida, to take up the issue individually.
More than 1,100 such bills were introduced in statehouses this year, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, which analyzed legislation from January to March.
About 40 of those bills were introduced by lawmakers in Florida, one of 21 state governments with more than 21 pieces of immigration legislation on their agendas, it said.
'We all knew we had an uphill battle, I don't think there's any question about that,' said David Caulkett, vice president of Floridians for Immigration Enforcement.
Legislation supported by his organization, which carried much weight but failed to move, included cracking down on employers who hire illegal immigrants or local law enforcement identifying illegal immigrants during jailhouse booking.
'There are always contentious issues,' said Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton. 'You say, 'How could that not have passed,' but it's because there was another priority higher than mine.'
A bill filed by the senator that failed to pass would have forced jailed illegal immigrants convicted of nonviolent crimes who had served half their sentence to return to their home country.
Other measures considered by lawmakers here and nationwide focused on driver's licenses and identification, human trafficking, education, health, legal services and voting, according to the NCSL.
In a tight budget year with a lingering November election, the issue remained at a standstill.
'Given all the real issues that Florida faces and the economy, to us it really felt like political posturing on the part of the legislators,' said Maria Rodriguez, executive director of the Florida Immigrant Coalition. 'It's time and effort and money going to something they can address.'
Caulkett said the issue was critical regardless of the state's pocketbook.
'We need the rule of law,' he said. 'We need enforcement regardless of what the economic ramifications are.'
With session in the rearview mirror, activists say immigration is hardly going to disappear from the state or national agenda. They say it must be addressed.
'We will be back next year and we'll have bills and sponsors,' Caulkett said. 'And we will start working on that this summer.'