Florida Senate Passes Immigration Enforcement Bill; 250 Million in Grants to Law Enforcement

Florida Senate Passes Immigration Enforcement Bill, Rejecting Protections for Dreamers

The Florida Senate has passed a sweeping immigration enforcement bill, ending a GOP stalemate while rejecting Democratic efforts to protect Dreamers.

Florida Senate Republicans remained unmoved by Democratic pleas to preserve in-state tuition for undocumented students, who will lose access to the waiver starting next school year under the bill.

During a Special Session on Thursday, Feburary 13, 2025, the Florida Senate gave a third reading to SB 2C, an immigration bill co-sponsored by Florida Republican Senators Joe Gruters and Randy Fine. The legislation primarily addresses Florida law enforcement, the Florida criminal justice system, and Florida’s collaboration with the federal government to curb illegal immigration.

The measure appropriates $250 million for Florida law enforcement agencies and establishes a new Florida state board to oversee immigration. The board, which includes Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, the Florida Chief Financial Officer, the Florida Attorney General, and other Florida law enforcement officials, was created as a compromise between DeSantis and the Florida Legislature after disagreements over who should lead Florida immigration enforcement efforts.

“I’m all for it. Let’s jack it up,” said Florida Democratic Senator Jason Pizzo during Thursday’s debate, referring to ramping up Florida immigration enforcement.

Funding for Law Enforcement and Tougher Criminal Penalties

The bill allocates $250 million in grants to Florida law enforcement agencies to support their collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The funds will cover operational costs and provide up to $1,000 bonuses for Florida law enforcement officers tasked with increased immigration-related duties.

Additionally, the bill strengthens criminal penalties for undocumented immigrants convicted of crimes, requiring them to receive the maximum sentence for felony offenses.

Elimination of In-State Tuition for Dreamers

One of the most controversial provisions in the bill, which Florida Democratic Senator Jason Pizzo called “the poison pill,” eliminates in-state tuition waivers for approximately 6,500 undocumented students enrolled in Florida’s public universities and colleges. Without these waivers, tuition costs would triple or quadruple to out-of-state rates.

“They will drop out. You have priced them out of higher education,” said Florida Democratic Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith of Orlando. “Members, I ask you to search your hearts.”

An amendment by Pizzo to protect in-state tuition for current students failed in a 22-14 vote. Ultimately, the Florida Senate passed the bill 27-10.

Republican and Democratic Debate Over Dreamers

Florida Senate Republicans argued that providing in-state tuition to undocumented students is unfair.

“I’m not saying they’re bad people, and I’m not saying they don’t have dreams, because I’m sure they do,” said Florida Republican Representative Randy Fine, who blamed the students’ parents for bringing them into the country illegally. “But to call them Dreamers implies their ambitions are greater than others’.”

Florida Democratic Senator Barbara Sharief opposed the bill, arguing that these hardworking students contribute to Florida’s economy by building careers and paying taxes. Fine pushed back, claiming that undocumented students take spots away from legal Florida residents.

“The 2,000 students we know are not going to a Florida university of their choice because an illegal immigrant is there. What about their dreams?” Fine asked.

Repealing Florida’s 2014 Dreamers Law

If signed into law, the bill would repeal a 2014 law signed by then, Florida Governor Rick Scott, which allowed undocumented students to pay in-state tuition at state colleges and universities also know as the Florida Dream Act.