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Pope Francis has urged Catholic faithful to recognize the “infinite and transcendent dignity of every human person” in a letter to the Bishops of the United States of America published on February 11 amidst national controversy regarding the ongoing migration crisis and the onset of mass deportations. “I exhort all the faithful of the Catholic Church, and all men and women of good will, not to give in to narratives that discriminate against and cause unnecessary suffering to our migrant and refugee brothers and sisters,” wrote Pope Francis.

For decades, Florida’s bishops, along with their brother bishops across the US, have been consistent in their calls for Congress to pass multifaceted reform of the nation’s immigration system. Church teaching recognizes a country’s right and responsibility to promote public order, safety, and security through well-regulated borders and just limits on immigration. The remedy for our inadequate immigration system should take place at the federal level, not through piecemeal policies at the state level.

Florida legislators gathered in Tallahassee on Monday, January 27, 2025, to convene for a special session called by Governor DeSantis to address a range of topics, including immigration. After a short period of announcements, the House and Senate adjourned, only to re-adjourn in a separate special session called by legislative leaders to take up and pass their own immigration legislation instead of the governor's broader plan.

HB 1589 (Plakon) would establish criminal penalties for unlicensed driving. FCCB's executive director, Michael Sheedy, sent a letter to the sponsor, outlining a few points of concern with the bill. "It must be noted that a significant number of Florida's residents have no path to a driver's license," wrote Michael.

Senator Blaise Ingoglia (R-Spring Hill) is the sponsor of several bills pertaining to immigration this session. Among them, SB 1174 further restricts community identification cards to preclude local governments from not only issuing them or funding them, but also from accepting them. SB 1324 would establish criminal penalties for unlicensed driving. SM 598 is a memorial bill which urges the federal government to secure the southern border of the United States and reform our broken immigration system. 

On Friday, the Senate took up SB 1718 (Ingoglia) and passed the bill by a 27-10 vote.  Earlier in the week, FCCB's Christie Arnold, associate for social concerns and respect life, testified in opposition to SB 1718 before the Fiscal Policy Committee, which amended and advanced the bill on a 14-6 vote. 

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.

Reports of Florida involvement in transporting migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard are disconcerting. Any action to transport persons under false pretenses and leave them stranded with no assistance, if this proves to be the case, fails to respect their human dignity and objectifies them.

These FCCB opposed bills would prohibit commercial airlines and busing companies from transporting unaccompanied migrant children into Florida if they want to enter contracts with the state or local governments.

FCCB opposes HB 1355 (Snyder) and SB 1808 (Bean) that would prohibit commercial airlines and busing companies from transporting unaccompanied migrant children into Florida.

FCCB opposes HB 1355 (Snyder) and SB 1808 (Bean) that would prohibit commercial airlines and busing companies from transporting unaccompanied migrant children into Florida.

The House Criminal Justice & Public Safety Subcommittee passed HB 1355 (Snyder) on a 13-5 vote. HB 1355 and its companion SB 1808 (Bean) would hinder the ability of Florida child-caring and child-placing organizations to serve unaccompanied migrant children. Catholic ministries have long cared for these vulnerable children fleeing oppression.

On Friday, March 6, SB 664 (Lee), was taken up on second reading by the full Senate. The bill was amended to require that all private employers use either the Department of Homeland Security E-Verify system or the documents required by Form I-9 to determine work eligibility for all new employees. The amendment also provides that the Department of Economic Opportunity shall conduct audits and investigate complaints of suspected improper employment. Employers would be required to turn over employment documents when requested by state prosecutors or the Florida Department of Law Enforcement without warrant or probable cause.