Florida to get tough immigration law

Florida's Republican attorney general introduces
a new immigration law for the state that could go
beyond the controversial Arizona legislation.



Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=138362§ionid=3510203


Florida's attorney general has proposed harsher state immigration laws surpassing that of Arizona's controversial legislation.

"This legislation will provide new enforcement tools for protecting our citizens and will help our state fight the ongoing problems created by illegal immigration," Bill McCollum said as he introduced the bill.

McCollum, who is running for governor this year, introduced the legislation as the hot public debate over the state versus federal control of immigration regulations continues, AFP reported.

The law requires judges to consider violations of immigration laws while setting bail and raise the level of criminal charges.

The legislation also dictates longer prison terms for crimes committed by illegal immigrants.

"This law is fairly balanced to protect the rights of those who are here legally and illegally," McCollum added, calling it "a huge step for public safety."

Under McCollum's immigration law, the police can arrest someone based on “reasonable suspicion” that they are illegal immigrants.

A lack of proper identification will be sufficient cause for making arrest, according to McCollum.

"You are supposed to have papers to show that you are here legally and if you don't have them, you don't have a legal status to be here," he explained.

The new legislation would create stronger restrictions on hiring immigrants, requiring employers to use an electronic system to prove that they have checked the immigration status of their employees.

Immigration rights groups estimate that there are 11 million illegal immigrants in the US.