Civil rights groups suing Florida officials over new immigration law

Miami – Several civil rights groups filed a federal lawsuit Monday challenging Florida’s new immigration law.

Southern Poverty Law Center, American Civil Liberties Union, Florida ACLU, Americans for Immigration Justice, American Immigration Council against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody, and State Attorney Nicholas B. Cox filed suit in Miami federal court. On behalf of the Florida Farm Workers Association and others, according to court records.

The bill, signed into law by Republican DeSantis in May, strengthens his immigration migration program and limits social services for immigrants without permanent legal status. It also expands the requirements for companies with more than 25 employees to use E-Verify, the federal system that determines whether an employee can legally work in the United States. also has provisions requiring the inclusion of citizenship questions in the questionnaire.

The lawsuit specifically focuses on provisions criminalizing the transfer to Florida of individuals who have entered Florida illegally and who may not have subsequently undergone a federal “inspection.” The complaint states that it is unconstitutional for states to unilaterally regulate federal immigration and expose people to criminal penalties without fair notice. It also argues that Florida’s use of the term “inspection” is incoherent, unconstitutional and ambiguous.

DeSantis is 2024 Republican Presidential Candidate In May, he emphasized a tough stance on illegal immigration.Sent by DeSantis Florida National Guard He sent soldiers to Texas for border patrol and instructed Florida to pay for it. charter flights carrying immigrants From Texas to other parts of the country.

The governor’s office did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment on the lawsuit on Monday. A spokesperson for the governor’s office has previously said the new law targets illegal immigrants, not those who are legally in the United States.