Florida Legislature passes bill targeting illegal aliens who commit crimes after re-entry

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida lawmakers on Wednesday greenlit legislation targeting illegal aliens who commit crimes after re-entering the country.

The measure comes in response to statewide grand jury calls for more action on such instances. The bill hikes penalties for individuals who re-enter the U.S. illegally, and proceed to commit a felony offense.

The legislation increases the severity of each degree of felony by one degree: a third degree would become a second degree, a second degree a first degree, and a first degree turns into a life felony.

The bill passed the House of Representatives Wednesday 83-30. It previously passed the Senate 32-0.

Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, sponsored SB 1036. Reps. Kiyan Michael, R-Jacksonville, and Berny Jacques, R-Seminole, carried the House version.

“Stay the heck out of our country,” Jacques said. “[If] you find yourself back here somehow, you will be dealt with harshly.”

If signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the law would take effect Oct. 1.

On top of targeting illegal aliens who commit felony offenses, it also hikes penalties for those who benefit, promote or further the “interests” of a transnational crime organization.

These penalty increases apply to misdemeanors and felonies, increasing second degree misdemeanors to first, first degree misdemeanors to third degree felonies, and so on, all the way up to a life felony.