Immigration Debate: Is Florida the New Arizona?

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Or, maybe a stricter Arizona? As Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum said, “Arizona is going to want this law. We’re better, we’re stronger, we’re tougher and we’re fairer.”

Florida lawmakers introduced an immigration bill August 11 that, if enacted, would require immigrants to carry valid documentation or face up to 20 days behind bars. It would also require police to check the status of suspected illegal immigrants during lawful stops and require that businesses check the status of new hires in a federal database.

In a new twist on immigration law, the bill also proposes giving judges permission to hand down stricter sentences for illegal immigrants who commit the same crimes as legal residents. (See pictures of immigration detention in Arizona.)

Much like in Arizona, opponents of the legislation claim it will encourage racial profiling, especially among police. McCollum fought back against such assertions, saying, “That’s not how police operate today.”

The Florida bill comes not long after a ruling in July struck down much of the Arizona law because it was found to violate a Supreme Court directive that legal immigrants not be subjected to inquisitorial practices about their status. McCollum said the proposed legislation was written with that ruling in mind.

McCollum, who originally called the Arizona law too “far out,” is running for the Republican nomination for governor in Florida. He was has been accused of being too soft on immigration by his primary opponent.

(See photos of the Elian Gonzalez saga.)

(Watch a video of Joel Stein boycotting the Arizona boycott.)