Business voices slam so-called ‘Sanctuary Cities’ ban
Image by Capri23auto from Pixabay

migration-3129340_1280

A sizable group of prominent Florida business owners joined the chorus of opposition for a so-called “Sanctuary Cities” ban.

The letter (available here) was released today by FWD.us and signed by 44 business and community leaders and says Florida needs immigrants in its workforce.

“For too long, our country’s broken immigration system has locked people out of the American dream — and our economy,” the letter reads.

The letter hits as the state Senate expects to vote on legislation (SB 168) requiring Florida law enforcement agencies to cooperate with federal immigration agents.

The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Joe Gruters, requires agencies detaining individuals to hold them for two days in Immigration and Customs Enforcement has a detainer order.

But critics say statutes targeting immigrant communities will threaten the state’s economic vibrancy.

“SB 168 will not only have detrimental consequences on Florida’s economy, public safety and trust in local law enforcement, but it will make Florida less safe,” said Ted Hutchinson, FWD.us Florida State Director.

No sanctuary cities exist in Florida, as all jurisdictions in Florida already cooperate with federal law enforcement. The federal government is responsible for enforcing federal immigration laws, not local law enforcement. Rather than burdening local officers with the federal government’s job, we should empower law enforcement to focus on real threats to our public safety.”

House legislation (HB 527generated hours of debate on Tuesday evening.

The FWD.us letter goes on to say immigrants don’t threaten Florida, but make it more vibrant.

“Immigrants of all backgrounds contribute to every sector of Florida’s economy, driving innovation, creating jobs and adding billions in tax revenue at the federal, state, and local levels. They enrich Florida’s diverse communities and workforce in countless ways,” the letter reads.

Signatories include representatives from a range of industries. That includes real estate (The Crew at Green Street), manufacturing (Best Rest USA), political consulting (Seaborn Strategic) and more.

Hutchinson said he hopes the increased voices further demonstrate the opposition to the bill.

“We join hundreds of business leaders, faith leaders, Republicans, Independents and Democrats from every corner of the Sunshine State in opposition to this harmful anti-immigrant bill,” he said.

“FWD.us strongly urges all elected officials to vote ‘no’ on SB 168.”

Jacob Ogles

Jacob Ogles has covered politics in Florida since 2000 for regional outlets including SRQ Magazine in Sarasota, The News-Press in Fort Myers and The Daily Commercial in Leesburg. His work has appeared nationally in The Advocate, Wired and other publications. Events like SRQ’s Where The Votes Are workshops made Ogles one of Southwest Florida’s most respected political analysts, and outlets like WWSB ABC 7 and WSRQ Sarasota have featured his insights. He can be reached at [email protected].


5 comments

  • Raymond Blacklidge

    April 24, 2019 at 7:17 am

    A Sizable group against the ban? What a crock of baloney, 44 companies out of over 430,000 businesses in Florida is not sizable amount. FWD.us is a speck of an organization in the larger picture. Support SB 168/HB 527 Sanctuary Cities ban!

  • Jim

    April 24, 2019 at 8:07 am

    STOP the BS!!! There’s nothing wrong with deporting illegals! I know for a fact that the big road construction companies in Florida hire illegals in favor of our black citizens! The Mexican/brown people hate our black citizens and will even run them off the job sites! American citizens have a right to fairness!

  • John Wright

    April 24, 2019 at 10:33 am

    Again democrats and progressive organizations reference immigrants when all they are doing is protecting illegal aliens. The majority of Floridians and Americans across the U.S. want our existing immigration laws enforced and that’s what these bills require. Thank you Republicans and a big thank you to Senator Gruters!

  • Rick Geraci

    April 24, 2019 at 1:44 pm

    you lost your mind.

  • Logan D.nuts

    April 24, 2019 at 1:45 pm

    you lost your mind.

Comments are closed.


#FlaPol

Florida Politics is a statewide, new media platform covering campaigns, elections, government, policy, and lobbying in Florida. This platform and all of its content are owned by Extensive Enterprises Media.

Publisher: Peter Schorsch @PeterSchorschFL

Contributors & reporters: Phil Ammann, Drew Dixon, Roseanne Dunkelberger, A.G. Gancarski, Anne Geggis, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, Cole Pepper, Gray Rohrer, Jesse Scheckner, Christine Sexton, Drew Wilson, and Mike Wright.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @PeterSchorschFL
Phone: (727) 642-3162
Address: 204 37th Avenue North #182
St. Petersburg, Florida 33704




Sign up for Sunburn


Categories