Several civil organizations announced on Saturday that they will file the first lawsuit against Florida’s SB 1718 immigration law for violating “the fundamental rights” of people living in this southern state of the United States.
The lawsuit, brought by the Southern Poverty Law Center, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and its Florida chapter, Americans for Immigrant Justice and the American Immigration Council, argues that “discriminatory” SB 1718 poses “a threat to the rights and the well-being of every individual in the state,” not just for immigrants.
“This attack on our immigrant communities will not prevail. Purposefully designed to inflict cruelty, SB 1718 is unconstitutional and undermines our democracy,” said Paul R. Chavez, senior supervising attorney for the Immigrant Justice Project at the Southern Poverty Law Center.
The lawsuit will be filed against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on behalf of several individuals and the Florida Farm Workers Association.
The law, which entered into force on July 1, severely punishes irregular immigration and companies and individuals that employ or help undocumented immigrants.
It was promoted by Governor DeSantis, who is a candidate in the Republican primary with a view to being a candidate in the 2024 presidential election and has made the fight against irregular immigration the workhorse of his electoral campaign.
The plaintiffs will argue that the law not only violates the fundamental rights of people in the state, but also undermines the cultural richness and economic contributions of immigrants.
The lawsuit will specifically focus on the provisions of Section 10, which criminalizes the transportation to Florida of persons who may have entered the country without federal inspection.
“The sole and exclusive power to regulate immigration policy is granted by the United States Constitution to the federal government, not to the states,” Chávez stressed.
Amien Kacou, an attorney for the ACLU of Florida, stressed that SB 1718 is “an attack on the fabric of our state,” as well as “an extreme act of state government overreach designed to instill fear and criminalize immigrant communities.”
Shalyn Fluharty, executive director of Americans for Immigrant Justice, stated that “Florida has a proud history of welcoming immigrants, and our future prosperity depends on continuing on a path of welcome for all people who live in the State of Sol, regardless of their place of birth or immigration status.”
“To all immigrants from Florida: you are welcome here and we support you,” he added.
Kate Melloy Goettel, legal director of litigation for the American Immigration Council, noted that the law “fosters an atmosphere of fear and hostility.”
“Our lawsuit seeks to guarantee the fundamental rights and dignity of every individual in the state, regardless of their immigration status. No one should live in fear or face discrimination based on their immigration status, their presumed immigration status, or the immigration status of their family members,” she added.
With information from EFE
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