Undocumented immigrants convicted of violent crimes could face stiffer penalties than U.S. citizens under a bill approved by a key Florida House panel Monday.

  • Bill increases penalties for undocumented immigrants convicted of violent crimes
  • They would face stiffer penalties than U.S. citizens
  • ACLU pledges to fight bill; supporters say it provides tool to prosecutors
  • CAPITOL CONNECTION: Latest News | Contact your Florida legislators

The measure by FL Rep. Dane Eagle (R-Cape Coral), HB 83, is one of several Republican bills, including a proposed crackdown on "sanctuary cities," that seek to build on a swell of conservative support for the tough-on-immigration policies championed by President Trump.

Eagle told the House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee that by increasing the criminal penalties for undocumented immigrants convicted of crimes like murder, rape and burglary, Florida's prosecutors would gain a sorely-needed tool.

"The problem is we cannot deport them," he said. "We incarcerate them in our prison system, and then, when they are done serving their sentence, they're back on the streets, and we do not know who they are, we have no control, there are no checks and balances. They're back out there committing crime and crime again."

But critics pointed to studies that have found the violent crime rate among undocumented immigrants is lower than it is among the general population. Calling the legislation a solution in search of a problem that doesn't exist, they vowed to challenge any eventual law -- and win.

"People are voting along party lines and they're voting politically and they're not voting based on the idea that this is an unconstitutional law," said Kara Gross, the American Civil Liberties Union's Florida legislative counsel. "It will be challenged in the courts and it will be enjoined and it will cost taxpayers tons of money."

Far from running afoul of the Constitution, however, Eagle argued his bill defends it and suggested courts would view the legislation in the same light.

"Our duty is to uphold the Constitution, and within the first line of that Constitution is to ensure domestic tranquility," Eagle said. "Everything we do up here should at least point back to that, making sure that our citizens, our people that are on the streets, are safe and protected from others."