Florida’s Haridopolos: State Will Move on Illegals

Now that Republicans have won a veto-proof majority in both chambers of the Florida legislature, lawmakers are expected to move on an “Arizona-style” immigration bill designed to crack down on illegal aliens in the Sunshine State.

Incoming Senate President Mike Haridopolos favors such a bill, which allows law enforcement officers to inquire about people’s immigration status and requires that they provide documentation about their status.

In an interview with the Shark Tank website, Haridopolos said “the federal government has failed us on this issue. Florida needs to step up and get it right. We will be holding extensive hearings in December or January on getting all the facts on the table and all the hyperbole off the table.”

An immigration bill filed in the legislature would be sure to pass and be signed by incoming Gov. Rick Scott, who has expressed support for the Arizona immigration bill, the website observed.

In August, Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum and state Rep. William Snyder unveiled their draft for Florida’s version of the Arizona law.