Senate Democratic Leader Audrey Gibson (D-Jacksonville) on Friday released the following statement on Governor Ron DeSantis’ signing of the Republican-backed anti-immigrant legislation, SB168:
“With the stroke of his pen today, Governor Ron DeSantis joined many of his fellow Republicans in officially turning their backs on desperate immigrant men, women and children – most of them Hispanic – who have sought refuge in Florida.
“This legislation was never about the rule of law, or heading off a criminal invasion, or any other of a myriad of excuses proffered to justify its passage. This legislation and its signing is about politics in its worst form by scapegoating immigrants.
“Florida is facing a host of immediate and pressing problems, including the long-suffering victims of Hurricane Michael still living in tents in the Panhandle, ironically, not far from where this bill signing has taken place. But sanctuary cities is not one of them. There is yet to be a single one established within our borders.
“Rather than direct our resources to tackle urgent problems that actually exist, our tax dollars and government resources will now be used in service to the federal government’s vengeful hunt against hard-working, productive immigrants in our state who have helped build Florida’s success.
“This is not who we are, and this is not who we should be. This legislation cements the biased idea that politics takes precedence over human compassion.”
