by Andrew Powell
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposal to transport foreign nationals out of Florida to sanctuary cities passed a key hurdle in the state Senate on Tuesday.
The Florida Senate Committee on Fiscal Policy approved Senate Bill 6-B by a 14-6 margin that will authorize the state to procure contractors to transport foreign nationals around the United States through a specialized program.
The bill will create the Unauthorized Alien Transport Program which will be part of the Division of Emergency Management. DEM will facilitate the transportation of these foreign nationals and will provide an appropriation of $10 million to run the program.
State Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill is the bill’s sponsor. He said the appropriated money will be used for not only flights, but housing, food and essential items for foreign nationals who volunteer to be moved to another location outside of Florida.
“The state of Florida is currently in a state of emergency because of the ineptness and the incompetence of the federal government when it comes to immigration policy,” Ingoglia said. “In fact, I would say that someone should declare the federal government itself a disaster area.”
The foreign nationals will be offered the opportunity to move to a sanctuary city or state that has the resources to better facilitate them, according to Ingoglia.
Ingoglia added that permission will be asked before relocation to avoid violating federal trafficking laws or other federal immigration laws.
“So, what we’re doing here is trying to relieve some of the pressure and some of the strain on taxpayers and the community services here in the state of Florida.” Ingoglia said.
Aurelie Colon from ACLU Florida, opposed the bill and said the Legislature should “prioritize policies that improve the lives and livelihood of all Florida residents,” adding that, “this so-called relocation program is just more anti-immigrant rhetoric that will harm the immigrant community.”
Johnathon Weber from the Southern Poverty Law Center Action Fund urged the committee to reject the bill, and that “the program will inevitably lead to racial profiling.”
Weber also questioned where in the bill it says that an inspected foreign national is able to volunteer to be moved to a new location.
Democrats also opposed the bill.
“This is wrong. It is not becoming of us as a state. It is not becoming of us as human beings, and it’s definitely not becoming of our resources and how we are about to spend taxpayer dollars.” said state Sen. Shevrin D. “Shev” Jones, D-Miami Gardens.
DeSantis signed an executive order in January , to direct law enforcement agencies and other state agencies to take necessary action to protect Floridians from the effects of mass illegal migration.
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Andrew Powell is a contributor to The Center Square.Â
ALL FOREIGN AIDE NEEDS TO BE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. WE DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDS TO TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN LET ALONE FOREIGN NATIONALS. THEY ARE NOT ASYLUM SEEKERS THEY ARE FREELOADERS AND WE MUST BE SMARTER AND SEND A STERN MESSAGE.
Since these democrats would like to welcome these invaders with open arms, then perhaps they can foot the bill by paying more taxes than individuals who do not want to be saddled by non-English speaking, low education individuals who are on the public dole. The biggest question is what will happen to our emergency rooms when citizens will have to wait for long hours while the illegals are cared for.
Transport them back across the border. They are a strain on our nation. That is why there is a limit to the number of LEGAL immigrants who are allowed into our country.
Send several hundred to Delaware.
So these walking travelers to Brownsville TX.
Not to the middle of the nation!!
I wish we had those ideas in our state!
Great idea. They need to be deported to their home countries. Coming here illegally means you were not invited by the US taxpayers.
Good. Now, if Gov. DeSantis is going to run for President, it would be timely to start stumping for some policies to deal with the bazillions of illegals all over the country. A couple of hundred new immigration courts to start the movement in the other direction for example. And a plan to register those who end up staying – maybe a work permit program (a blue/yellow/whatever card to supplement the green card for legal residents) to be required for any government benefits of any kind and a series of steps to become eligible for eventual citizenship in ten years or so.
Since these invaders came into our country illegally, they immediately should be transported out of our country . Taxpayers should not be burdened with their upkeep.
I applaud Gov. DeSantis! I’m a Texan and am tired of all the ‘illegals’…