Sen. Ingoglia bill barring localities from giving IDs to illegal migrants passes committee

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Legislation by Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, prohibiting counties and municipalities from issuing government IDs to illegal immigrants passed the Florida Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

The legislation, SB 1174, passed 7-3 in the committee. The House version of the legislation, HB 1451, is sponsored by Rep. Kiyan Michael, R-Jacksonville.

“We know that you cannot issue drivers licenses or any official government documents to illegal immigrants and this stops the practice of government giving those government-approved, official IDs for the purposes of people who are in the country illegally,” Ingoglia said.

The senator said that there were certain counties attempting to provide the IDs to immigrants in order to allow them access to certain resources and services.

Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book, D-Davie, and Sen. Linda Stewart, D-Orlando, expressed concerns about public safety for both illegal immigrants and U.S. citizens if the migrants are not allowed to have government identification.

Ingoglia responded by saying that if Florida continued to validate IDs for illegal immigrants, the state would be creating a “trap” for more people to illegally enter.

“In my opinion, it is not the governments function to help illegal immigrants assimilate into communities by offering them the same benefits that legal immigrants are getting,” he said.

Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, spoke up in favor of the bill, while also recognizing how the bill is not anti-immigration, but anti-illegal immigration.

“Lawful immigration is what we’re all about and that’s what we ought to support every time we have a chance,” he said. “I support your bill today and understand the reason for it.”