Criminalizing Transport of Migrants within Florida Advances in Senate

SB 1718 (Ingoglia) would expand the definition of "human smuggling" to make it a third degree felony for anyone to knowingly and willfully transport into or within Florida, or conceal or harbor within Florida, a person whom they know or reasonably should know entered the country unlawfully. The bill’s provisions also prohibit local governments from issuing community IDs and invalidate out-of-state driver’s licenses for undocumented people. The bills would also increase penalties for businesses who fail to comply with specified provisions relating to employing, hiring, recruiting, or referring unauthorized immigrants for employment. Additionally, hospitals would be required to collect patient immigration status information on admission or registration forms. 

Christie Arnold testified against the bill outlining FCCB's opposition to SB 1718. On Wednesday, the bill was approved by the Senate Rules Committee on a 15-5 vote. Comparable bill, HB 1617 (Michael), has yet to be heard by its first committee of reference. 

These bills unfairly target the immigrant community in Florida as well as those who devote themselves to assisting them. Criminalizing the mere transport of undocumented people within Florida will have far-reaching negative consequences in the business and church communities.