Pro-immigrant organizations announce first lawsuit against Florida’s anti-immigrant law

On Saturday, several major civil rights organizations announced they would present federal lawsuit against the governor Florida, Ron DeSantisTo promissory note Sat 1718, which went into effect July 1 and is considered the “toughest immigration law” in the US.

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Americans for Immigration Justice, and the American Immigration Council said in a joint statement that the law “discriminates against immigrants” and “poses a threat to the rights and well-being of every person in the state”.

The lawsuit will be filed against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on behalf of several individuals and the Florida Farm Workers Association.an immigrant rights organization that focuses on fairness for farm workers, arguing that the law not only violates the basic rights of people in the state, but also undermines the cultural wealth and economic contributions of immigrants.

The lawsuit is about the harmful provisions described in Section 10, which criminalizes the transportation to Florida of persons who may have entered the country without permission to remain in the United States.

“This attack on our immigrant communities will not work. Designed specifically for brutality, SB1718 is unconstitutional and undermines our democracy.” said Paul R. Chavezsenior supervising attorney for the immigration justice project at the Southern Poverty Law Center.

The law, which went into effect this Saturday, severely penalizes illegal immigration and companies and people who hire or help undocumented immigrants.

He was promoted by Gov. DeSantis, who is the Republican presidential nominee in the 2024 presidential election, and fighting illegal immigration is his workhorse on the campaign trail.

“The sole and exclusive power to regulate immigration policy is vested in the United States Constitution to the federal government, not to the states,” Chavez said.

Amien Kaku, attorney for the Florida ACLU, stressed that SB1718 is “an attack on our state’s fabric” as well as “an extreme act of state government overreach to sow fear and criminalize immigrant communities.”

Chaleen Fluharty, executive director of Americans for Immigration Justice, said, “Florida has a proud history of welcoming immigrants, and our future prosperity depends on continuing the path of welcoming all the people who live in the Sol State, no matter where they are. birth or immigration status.”

“To all Florida immigrants, you are welcome here and we support you,” Fluharty added.

Kate Melloy Guettel, legal director of the American Immigration Council, said the law “creates an atmosphere of fear and hostility. Our lawsuit seeks to safeguard the fundamental rights and dignity of every person in the state, regardless of immigration status. No one should live in fear or face discrimination based on their immigration status, their intended immigration status, or the immigration status of their family members.”

Author: Maria Ortiz
Source: La Opinion

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