Bill McCollum unveils controversial immigration reform plan

Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum unveiled a proposed bill Wednesday that would require police officers to verify a suspect's immigration status during all lawful stops, detentions and arrests when reasonable suspicion exists.

``Arizona is going to want this law,'' said McCollum. ``We're better, we're stronger, we're tougher and we're fairer.''

The proposal comes at a time when McCollum is trailing in the polls behind Rick Scott in the GOP gubernatorial primary race. The primary is Aug. 24, but early voting is already underway.

Scott's campaign immediately issued a statement criticizing McCollum's ``flip-flopping'' on the controversial Arizona immigration law.

Said Jennifer Baker, Scott's campaign communications director: ``Today's immigration proposal from Bill McCollum serves as just another example of why he can't be trusted. Besides flip-flopping on his support of Arizona's legislation, the desperate career politician rushed to present a plan that on Monday he said would be coming in `a couple of weeks.' ''

``It's clear the only way to get McCollum to take any action on anything is when he's down in the polls,'' Baker said.

McCollum's proposal differs from the Arizona law in that it would allow judges to consider immigration status when setting a bond. Illegal immigrants would also face stiffer criminal sentences than legal residents who committed the same crime. Unlike the Arizona law, citizens would not be able to sue law enforcement agencies for not enforcing the law. Instead, that watchdog role would fall to the state attorney general.

Soliciting employment as an illegal immigrant would also become a crime, and Florida businesses would have to to use the federal E-Verify program to confirm their employees' immigration status.

Key parts of Arizona's controversial law were blocked by a federal judge in July. Racial profiling would be prohibited under Florida's proposed law, said McCollum. Reasonable suspicion to inquire about immigration status might include an altered driver's license or an admission of illegal residency in the country, he said.

``It's not how you look, it's not what you say,'' he said.

Detained illegal immigrants will be turned over to federal immigration officers for deportation, McCollum said.

State Rep. William Snyder of Stuart, who chairs the House Criminal and Civil Justice Policy Council, crafted the proposed legislation with McCollum.

Snyder said the law is necessary to protect illegal immigrants and to curb drug activity.

``This is the beginning of what I think will be a fairly long and sometimes emotional discussion,'' he said.

``Floridians want to see their elected officials provide leadership to the challenges of illegal aliens living in our state,'' said Snyder in a statement. ``This proposal is a significant step forward in confronting illegal immigration.''

Immigrant advocates in Florida condemned McCollom's proposed immigration law.

``Immigrant-rich Florida cannot afford a law that will create more confusion, legal challenges and expense for all Floridians,'' said Cheryl Little, executive director of the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center. ``This bill would hurt our economy, public safety and individual rights. Why are they adding to the chaos instead of working on a realistic solution for our broken immigration system?''

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/08/1...#ixzz0wLliuzEz

These comments.
Replying to marxist (08/11/2010 05:34:20 PM):
"McCollum is pandering to the lowest, dirtiest, most radical elements now to try and gain some Tea Party traction. He is not going to win. But the reality is we should all be fearful of Scott, who is a corporate Satan as well as someone who is poised to enact the AZ version of this law to boot. GOOD...":

That's only for LEGAL immigrants. This will put McCollum over the top! Going on line to give some more money right now! Get your cheap labor outside of Home Depot while you can, cuz' come November, they're gone!

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/08/1...#ixzz0wLpv8c1v

horrible just horrible...

Cheryl Little is right

wait so.. florida wants to be like arizona?

Yes, all of the candidates have an Arizona-like crackdown law.

that sucks since I live in Florida

Beautiful!! looks like we are screwed
What the fudge is Obama doing?
This is not the "Change" we were hoping for!!

Ugghhhh so Frustrated..with the administration, current immigration laws, and life!!

Seriously, this whole administration can just go suck it. I live in Florida too, and I simply refuse to live under such pressure. Life sucks enough as it is, screw this!!

What are the chances the democratic candidate would win? She seems somewhat easy going on immigration.. She has a set of rules for employers but nothing as major as bill collumn's plans.

This news is scaring the living hell outta me! I live with my single mother.. We r barely making it each month..life just seems to get tougher by the minute

The chances she wins without campaigning id say very unlikely.