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Staff ReportsAugust 24, 2018

Two Florida immigrant rights groups have joined a federal lawsuit challenging the U.S. Commerce Department’s plan to ask people about their citizenship status during the 2020 Census. The lawsuit, filed June 6 in the Southern District of New York, alleges that Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross wants to intentionally discriminate against immigrants of color. Additionally, his […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 9, 2018

Tuesday marked the first day of Tallahassee’s annual 60-day Legislative Session, another year where Republicans control the state House, Senate and Governor’s mansion. Realizing it may be another tough year for progressives, approximately 30 activists gathered in Lykes Gaslight Park in downtown Tampa late Tuesday afternoon to denounce aspects of the GOP agenda that may become […]

Danny McAuliffeJanuary 9, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott laid out his ambitions — which included cutting taxes, addressing problems created by hurricanes Irma and Maria, and expanding victims’ rights, among other things — during the State of the State speech in the Capitol building on Tuesday, but not too far away, a different, more intimate crowd listened to an alternative […]

Mitch PerryMarch 27, 2017

A bill that would increase the penalties for certain violent offenses if the defendant is an undocumented immigrant advanced in a Florida House Committee on Monday. The legislation, sponsored by Cape Coral Republican Rep. Dane Eagle (HB 83), would upgrade penalties for five different violent crimes committed by undocumented immigrants, including sexual battery, aggravated assault with a […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 7, 2017

State lawmakers aren’t looking out for everyday Floridians, an advocate for one of the state’s largest labor unions said Tuesday. “In 2010, Rick Scott said ‘let’s get to work.’ In 2014, he said ‘let’s keep working,’” said Rich Templin, the legislative and political director for the Florida AFL-CIO. “The problem is, Florida is not working […]

Mitch PerryMarch 6, 2017

There are numerous criminal justice reform bills already moving in committees in the Florida House and Senate this year, and on Monday a nonpartisan coalition called The Florida Campaign for Criminal Justice Reform announced its formation on the eve of the 2017 Legislative Session kicking off on Tuesday. The Florida Campaign for Criminal Justice Reform includes the Southern […]

Mitch PerryNovember 29, 2016

Three members of the St. Petersburg City Council joined activists rallying for a $15 an hour wage and a right to unionize on Tuesday, a “National Day of Disruption” led by organized labor to raise the living wage for low-income workers. “Let’s be clear. The Fight for $15, it’s a lot more than getting $15 an […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 26, 2016

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National Voter Registration Day takes place on Tuesday, and there are hundreds of events are being planned across the nation and in Florida to get people signed up in advance of the November 8 election. The deadline to register in the Sunshine State is on October 11. Particularly focused on signing up new voters this year have […]

Guest AuthorJune 29, 2016

As Immigrant Heritage Month ends, I’ve taken the time to reflect on my humble beginnings and all the opportunities this great country has provided me with. As the director of policy and advocacy of the Florida Immigrant Coalition, I have worked with many, many immigrants who have made America their home in order to escape […]

Associated PressMay 3, 2016

On a recent Saturday morning in South Florida, 50-year-old Edgar Ospina stood in a long line of immigrants to take the first step to become an American. Ospina has spent almost half his life in the U.S. after emigrating from his native Colombia, becoming eligible for citizenship in 1990. But with Donald Trump becoming a […]

Tag: Florida Immigrant Coalition

Florida groups join legal challenge to Census citizenship query

As Session gavel falls, Tampa progressives denounce GOP agenda

Progressives poke holes in Rick Scott’s success

Bill that would increase penalties for undocumented violent offenders advances in Florida House

Advocates call on Legislature to focus on working Floridians during annual ‘Awake the State’ event

Florida Campaign for Criminal Justice Reform formed as legislative session formally begins

St. Pete City Council members join Fight for 15! movement

Florida Immigration activists to get busy registering voters on Tuesday

Francesca Menes: Celebrating Florida’s immigrants during Immigrant Heritage Month

Donald Trump’s rise is driving immigrants to become citizens