Republicans backing Martin County lawmaker’s effort to bring AZ-style immigration law to FL
by Michael C. Bender | June 26th, 2010Rep. William Snyder, R-Stuart, told The Palm Beach Post earlier this month about his interest in bringing Arizona’s controversial immigration law to Florida.
(Interestingly, Snyder’s fellow MartCo Republican, Gayle Harrell, also made a big push for tougher state immigration laws while she was in the House. She essentially was shot down by then-Speaker Marco Rubio, who relegated her bill to a workshop where no votes were recorded.)
Anyway, Snyder’s effort is, predictably, picking up steam among the conservatives who control state legislature, the St. Petersburg Times reports today:
In an election year shaped by anti-incumbency sentiment, majority leaders in the Florida Senate and House said a new approach is needed to address the federal government’s failure to temper illegal immigration.
The effort has the backing of both leading Republican gubernatorial candidates businessman Rick Scott and Attorney General Bill McCollum.
In fact, McCollum’s office is helping to draft the bill.
Tags: immigration, William Snyder
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June 26th, 2010 at 10:51 am
This makes me a happy camper.I,m voting for Rick Scott and any one who is willing to enact the Arizona immigration Law in Florida.I would also like the Obama health care law blocked in Florida as well.I do not like the idea of being fined for some thing I may not be able to afford.
June 26th, 2010 at 11:32 am
Immigration is another area in which the Republican Party is at war with itself (though the war is flying under the public’s radar because the media doesn’t find it that interesting.)
The right wing, Tea Party, racist tinged bunch are being pandered to by politicians who think their support will guarantee reelection. So, like Rep. Snyder, they babble about bringing an AZ style law to Florida.
The business wing of the GOP want no part of such a law. Many of them depend on illegal immigrant labor for their profits, especially in these difficult economic times. Think farming, construction, landscaping, lawn maintenance etc.
I wonder which wing of the GOP will win. Anyone want to take a guess?
June 26th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
So let me get this straight! McCollum has been heard hundreds of times right out of his own mouth “thats not going to happen here in Florida.” in response to a Florida law just like the Arizona law.
We already know McCollum was in cahoots with Crist on the Stanaki land deal. Together they helped their friend Mori Hosseini get millions more in taxpayers money for his land. We also know McCollum, Crist and Sink give their NYC political donors $250 million of Fl retirement dollars which they lost forever in a bankrupt NYC apartment scam. So now we know McCollum is actually like flip-flop Charlie in that, he was opposed to the immigration law for Florida until he was for it and decided to draft the bill! Just like Charlie, only stupidier! You bet! He was too stupid to move over to Independant to get past the primary! The facts about his organized corruption are coming out more and more every day! How did he and Charlie shut up Jim Greer? Someone needs to answer that question. Just when Jim was beginning to talk, he shut up! Who’s dollars paid for that? Do you think the RPOF would use their funds to stop Greer from talking about Charlie Crist and McCollum just to save McCollum’s butt?
June 26th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
How to vote…………..
Ask your candidates their opinion of the Arizona law.
If they agree,vote for them!
If not,vote against them!
Regardless of party!
June 26th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Anything that gets rid of these damn illegal aliens will get my vote. But my illegal maid from Haiti gets to stay.
June 26th, 2010 at 4:29 pm
People love this word “racist”. It is overused. The correct word is “nationalist” meaning wanting for forward ones own nation. what people want is for America to be for those people who are “Legal” citizens only. I don’t care if someone is from Italy, England, Mexico or Haiti–if you are here illegally then you need to go. they suck up too much money from the paying citizens and legal workers.
June 26th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
This is a surefire way to get the Florida economy back to work. Dry up the source of below minimum wage labor and that will force cheapos to pay a real wage for labor done whether it be roofing, bricklaying, or even landscaping. The illegals only take from the local economy. They live 10 and 15 in a house and I know because it is like that all over Lake Worth where I have friends and family. The have them as neighbors on their block and see it firsthand. They send almost all of the money back to their country which further harms the local economy. Do you see them buying homes here? Do you see them volunteering their time here? No!!! They take and take and take and take. Schools services…hospital/health services…law enforcement resources…and pay virtually NOTHING for those services while the local politicians can’t keep their hands out of our pockets and bank accounts as they try to balance their bankrupt and severely deficient public services acccounts. Enough is enough already. Those that claim to welcome them here have their own agendas and motives. Again I personally know the slum landlords who rent out their unmaintained (rentals)dumps to these guys who sleep there on the floors and without hardly even any furniture. Others profiteer from them by paying them cash to work all day when it’s 95 degrees cutting grass and hedges for $100 and charging THEIR accounts/customers $300 for their slaves services. Look carefully for the REAL reason those that support ILLEGAL immigrants REALLY want them here. Everyone I know has their own profit agenda in mind. Florida will be a lot better off when we enact the same law Arizona’s wise citizens just enacted.
I too am an immigrant but I came here legally and spent thousands of dollars on fees to do so. I speak the English language and I love this country and am now a citizen. Come to America but follow the rules. To do otherwise is unfair to Americans and those who waited to come here and followed the lengthy process to do so.
June 26th, 2010 at 4:45 pm
cj you are right on target!!,only ones getting the shaft are the law abiding tax paying citizens who worked and fought for this country and expect the politicos to respect the constitution and enforce the existing laws before creating new smoke and mirror legislation>>>
June 26th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
This bill is entirely necessary. We can no longer afford the expenses associated with the many millions of Florida illegals.
It is only common sense that this happen.
June 26th, 2010 at 5:41 pm
So what happens if you are a legal citizen, but when u got pulled over for speeding you left your license at home, and you are a single mother heading to daycare to pick up you 3 year old. Well you don’t have proof you are here legally because you left your license at home, so they take you on and book ya. Whose going to bail you out? And how are you going to prove you are here legally? And the database isn’t right 100% of the time, in fact my wife who is from central America, her passport shows it was lost still, even after she got a brand new one. If anyone could answer that with a reasonable response, then rick Scott’s got my vote…anyone? ??!!!
June 26th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Whose going to take the farming jobs? Its one of the top ten most dangerous jobs in America due to heat exhaustion, and there is no overtime and the pay is bad…if you don’t want them here then get off your lazy butt, get off unemployment and food stamps and take there job!!! If not then shut up…
June 26th, 2010 at 5:48 pm
American’s need to take back OUR great country!! Since our leadership does not have the backbone to do, we will have to do it ourselves - Go Mr. Snyder and Mr. Scott - the voters will be behind you, even when the media is not!!
June 26th, 2010 at 5:50 pm
And last thing, what will happen to “wet foot dry foot” law that applies to Cubans?
June 26th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
Sam P, You’re right, the immigrants frequently are exploited. So why don’t you and so many others who have posted here want law enforcement to go after the exploiters instead of those BEING exploited? BTW, do you think they make enough money to buy a house? Do you think they have time or energy to volunteer in the community after doing 12 hours of back-breaking work?
Larry, this bill is NOT necessary. What is necessary is cracking down on the employers who hire illegals. They don’t come here to lounge. they come to work. If they can’t be hired, they won’t be here. What is it about that so many AZ law supporters don’t understand?
June 26th, 2010 at 6:22 pm
I agree w mary, this bill isnt needed, it needs to be directed towards the business owner. you should have to do your due dilegence and make sure they are legal, if not then you should be fined. now granted, a lot of illegals use false ss#’s and identity theft is huge, (by the way, identity theft is way larger in Europe than in the USA, and I dont see too many Mexicans running to Europe.) but as long as the business owner verified them, which means using equifax, generally, then hey as the business owner you are cleared. also note that since illegals do use false ss#’s, they pay into social security and medicare, and never collect on these funds, because there is no way for them to collect. So therefore it could potentially hurt in the long run ss for the rest of us. thats why fining the companies and putting fees into ss sounds like a great idea…
June 26th, 2010 at 7:18 pm
1. if the bill cracks down on EMPLOYERS FIRST let them stop hiring out of the street
2. After that is stopped send the illegal citizens back to there country
That will cost alot but they will be gone
3.Now enact a welfare to work program for all legal citizens who are on welfare and getting free food and medicine to take the jobs that THE EMPLOYERS ARE NOW GOING TO PAY A LIVING WAGE FOR
THAT IS MY HOPE
June 26th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
Too late for me, I was born in WPB and left in 1988 for Tn. my husband, a NY union meat cutter, was told he would have to learn Spanish to get a job with 2 Major Grocery stores, and one store also said he would have to start in Belle Glade, which at the time was the aids capital of Fl. I still have sand in my shoes but even hate visiting my home town.
June 26th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
We have a trillion dollar war (on terror)
and we no one securing the borders.
I for Rick Scott and anyone who want’s to give us that Arizona type law. Mirrored like the Federal Law.
June 26th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
So my daughter falls of her bike and breaks her leg but we have to wait hours in the emergency room because the illegal aliens,who have no health insurance but were in a drunken fight, to be taken care of first. The guy who backs into my car in the Publix parking lot has no auto insurance, pays no taxes, but his kids go to the schools I support with my taxes… and they will qualify for college aid while I fork over full tuition. No automobile insurance should mean no drivers license. PLEASE lets all vote for a national ID form,like a national driver’s license, so we can ALL be proud of who we are and also be protected from these folks who glide under the radar UNTIL it’s time for them to put their hand out!
June 26th, 2010 at 11:55 pm
USA should be for European-Whites only. All others need to voluntarily leave or be deported to their land of origin using the new laws we shall pass. Immigration from any other nation except Western European countries should be totally halted. Vote for the White people’s party, the Tea Party. Arizona is a good start; it will help Arizonians send a clear message. We are tired of these minorities dirtying up our land and polluting our nation and white culture.
Deport all Cubans, Haitians and Jews out of this country.
June 27th, 2010 at 1:34 am
incredible i can’t believe what this great americans comments on immigration,what such losers,blaming others for their mistakes,just because you born here doesn’t mean you can get everything,stop the complaint and start to work,big mouths,america is for the strongs of heart and soul,no for the neonazis and frustates members of kkk,read the bible and you will find the true how to treat the foreigner,and by the way you will see those gop guys losing in the fall.
June 27th, 2010 at 8:27 am
All Right! it’s about time we had someone take a stand. I’m sick of the McCain’s and Obama’s who promise the world but, can’t deliver. Let’s have some politicos with some guts. Real women and men that stand up for principles.
I voted for Synder I’m glad to see he has some guts. Let’s do it. Economically Florida is one of the slowest to recover from this recession. We cannot afford to support the people from other countries (Countries that send them here to support their econoomies). We need to take care of our citizens first.
I take care of my family first so I am not a burden on others. We Floridians need to take care of Florida First! I am proud of Florida, I don’t want Florida to be another bankrupt State dependant on the Feds. We cannot support another Country’s economy without supporting our own econonmy first.
Keep you the good work Rep. Synder.
June 27th, 2010 at 8:39 am
Richard, everyone who just read your post is now dumber, at no point did you make any coherent sense. Also note that you are an idiot,its obvious the higest degree of education was about the 2nd grade, if you were even that lucky to pass k-1…if you didnt notice, american indians were here before us, and even though us “white” people came from Europe, Mexico already had control of Arizona, New Mexico, California, ect….Also Since I am white, I dont want you to be apart of my race, I feel as though anyone who lives in a freakin trailer, who still flies the Rebel flag, and talk about sending all the legal immigrants back, should be sent out of this country(wheres your American Flag? huh? most of the time i see a rebel flag, i do not see an american flag flying next to it) some american you are……you are officially kicked out of my race! people like you should get off of food stamps, and stop drinking miller high life, it is not the champange of beers…it taste like piss…
and by the way, if Jews are white, what color are they? seriosuly? I dont think they are black or asian, could you help me out with that one? Richard, you should be banned from this state, and be sent over to Peru, and tell them your thoughts and ideas… see what they have to say… jerk..
June 27th, 2010 at 11:57 am
the purposed AZ law is identical to US Fed law except the fed law does ot need a reason to check citizenship records. This law sends a message to our elected officials that we are fed up. Every day I am amazed at what is happening to our country. How could one person inless than 2 years completly disrupt our country? Latest buzz Obama trying to find a way to legalize over 10 million illegals without going thru the congress, because he will never pass it in congress, and he would love to have those votes. God help us each day this man remains in office.
June 27th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Michael, your wandering blog caused me to go back and see just what caused you to attack Richard so hard.
Well, low and behold, it is you that must be drinking the kool-aid! While I do not necessarly agree with Richards statements many of your rebuttals to same do not even exist in his blog! Unless you personally know Richard it appears you simply drew the conclusions about him from thin air! Much they way our nation suffers from the ills of the mentally ill in all walks of life in todays world. Get some help! I know doctors can not make brains, they can only repair them. Perhaps there is no help for you other than a very, very late term abortion. It would be wise for yo to know.
June 27th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
Michael and Ode to Michael: Obviously, you guys can’t recognize satire when you read it! (Watch The Daily Show, that might help you.)
Maybe YOU’RE the ones who need to improve your education.
I’d like to hear from Richard, who posted the comments you two are reacting to.
June 27th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Florida girl -
“Latest buzz Obama trying to find a way to legalize over 10 million illegals…” If the “latest buzz” was that the Loch Ness Monster was sighted in Lake Okeechobee, would you tell everyone you know that they should be very afraid that the monster will swim through canals, climb up on the bank in back yards and devour small animals? Believing the “latest buzz” about the president’s nefarious plans makes just as much sense.
I would put money on the fact that this “buzz” was initiated by Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Dick Armey, Alex Jones or another certified Obama hater. It’s what they do.
“God help us” that so many people blindly believe and spread every rumor they hear or read because it fits their ideology.
June 27th, 2010 at 2:31 pm
reading your comments prove only one thing.
we are a nation divided.sad.
June 27th, 2010 at 3:20 pm
I was born in this country, as were my parents. My grandparents immigrated here from Europe, learned to speak the language and went to work. We have been paying taxes ever since. I have lived in Florida all my life. I don’t care what your political affiliation is or isn’t. People who do not pay taxes should not be allowed to stay here or should be arrested, just like “citizens”. I cannot get free health care, educatation, or housing and have paid taxes since I was 15 years old and started working. In fact the government gives me no help at all. Illegal immigrants get pretty much anything they want and all that money goes back to their country, they contribute nothing but a burden on our system and me. I say get rid of them by any means possible.
June 27th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
“we are a nation divided.sad”
AMEN.
The question is, “Why?” and “Who foments the division because they stand to benefit from it?”
Historian Thomas Frank asked “Why do social conservatives continue to vote for Republicans, even though they are voting against their best interests?” This was his answer: He argues that politicians and pundits stir the conservative voters to action by evoking certain issues, such as abortion, immigration, or taxation. By portraying themselves to be the champion of the conservatives on these issues, the politicians can get those voters to vote them into office.
However, once in office, these politicians turn their attention to more mundane economic issues, such as business tax reduction or deregulation. In order to explain to the conservative constituents why no progress gets made on these issues, politicians and pundits point their fingers to a “liberal elite,” a straw man representing everything that conservatism is not. When reasons are given, they eschew economic reasons in favor of accusing this elite of simply hating America, or having a desire to harm “average” Americans. This theme of victimization by these “elites” is pervasive in conservative literature, despite the fact that at the time conservatives controlled all three branches of government, was being served by an extensive media devoted only to conservative ideology, and conservatives had won 6 of the previous 9 presidential elections.
June 27th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
floridaboy:
Again, stop employers from hiring illegal immigrants and the problem will solve itself.
June 27th, 2010 at 5:49 pm
I completely agree with Mary. Think about it everyone… The immigration issue has existed forever. Why wasn’t it such a big issue when the Bush Presidents were around? Why is this issue being brought up now? Why, all of sudden, Obama is expected to do something about it NOW? Why now? When he’s already inherited a big mess to clean up. It’s not like he doesn’t have enough on his plate… A recession, unemployment, healthcare, housing crisis, oil spill, etc. Now all of a sudden all the republicans are jumping onto this bandwagon (illegal immigration) to get more votes. Sounds to me like all they’re trying to do is sabotage Obama’s Presidency and make him look like he’s not the leader we voted for. C’mon people!!! Open your eyes!!! Redirect your efforts to the immediate issues at hand and start taking some responsibility for the mess we’re in. Stop looking for a scapegoat… Problems will be resolved by our own efforts and hard work. By joining together we’ll get much accomplished, but if we continue to let the GOP divide us…we will never get out of this mess. Let’s do something to help our country, our people (all race and colors)…and support our President!
June 27th, 2010 at 6:03 pm
ode is an idiot, you must live in the trailor next to richard… and you know some brain drs, are you serious?? who says stuff like that? you are sperm that should have been swallowed….. and yes i assumed he lives in a trailor, because that is the general mentality of red necks i know that have the kkk mentality… normally its more country than anything else… or do you know something that i dont? i doubt it…maybe you know these so called brain drs for a reason, maybe you are a client? no? well, look, i know you would like to argue more, but i dont have time to waste anymore reading your responce… so please do us all a favor and dont procreate… it would just ruin it for the rest of us… have a great day!! hope the hurricane blows your trailor away!! ciao
June 27th, 2010 at 7:14 pm
Hey, Michael, come on. Let’s not deteriorate into swapping nasty insults. That doesn’t solve anything for anybody.
June 27th, 2010 at 11:41 pm
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June 28th, 2010 at 5:48 pm
Those who support the AZ law are simply deluded. Here are some simple facts. Number 1, lets say we can “round em up” as some of you would like. They are ENTITLED to DUE PROCESS which costs what? Oh yeah, MONEY! If they DISPUTE or challenge the repatriation to thier home country, that costs MONEY, and lots of it once you get the liars, uhm, Lawyers involved. Number 2, if 1 doesnt get ya, where are you going to PUT THEM ALL and once you take them off the street, we have to FEED THEM. Again, more money! Finally, where was all this angst when this problem first started? Republican and Democratic Presidents and the House and Senate never did ANYTHING about it. Now you want Obama to fix it all and act as if it just happened. Hypocricy be damned, full speed ahead and blame it on Obama, Bush II, Clinton, Bush I or anyone who suits ya depending on your political bias. America is not a mean country and MOST of your ancestors were immigrants, yet on and on you find folks who are good at finding fault, yet very poor at finding SOLUTIONS!
June 28th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
I am a conservative who is ashamed of the thought of imposing an Arizona immigration style law in my home state of Florida. Why should we be lead by any state. Florida is an agriculture state which needs these people to stay in the fields. Maybe the lawmakers should ask the farmers what their thoughts are on this matter first. God Bless America!
June 29th, 2010 at 1:03 am
everybody keeps saying immigrants should be gone and treated with such disrespect because suppose-ably they take peoples jobs well all my life i have only seen white american people in the streets begging for money while the so called immigants work hard for what they earn and yet benefit this country so much we have already experience the importance they are i dnt see any white people working the jobs immigrants do because they are so ignorant i go against this law and once they approve it the economy will realize how bad they will go down already no international sporting events are being held in arizona and thats only the begining we have bigger problems at stake like the gulf of mexico but yet people like this continue to come if you dnt wnat them here then hey dnt ask for their products they produce soon all will realize their importance
August 1st, 2010 at 2:16 pm
WHAT WAS THEN IS NOW….
JAN BREWER? HELLO, GEORGE WALLACE.
JOE ARPAIO? HELLO, BULL CONNORS.
BILL McCOLLUM? HELLO, LESTER MADDOX.
KRIS KOBACH? HELLO EDGAR RAY KILLEN.