Cities and counties in Florida are prohibited from accepting identification cards or documents knowingly issued to people who are in the U.S. illegally. HB 1451 is one of three signed into law by Gov Ron DeSantis during a signing event in Winter Haven on March 15.
“This is going to be a deterrent for illegal immigration into the state of Florida,” DeSantis said before signing the bill. “You come here, you’re not getting a license, we’re not recognizing your California license that you may have gotten in a sanctuary state.”
DeSantis also signed HB 1589 which boosts penalties for those caught driving without a valid driver’s license, from the current maximum sentence of 60 days in jail to one year in jail for two or more offenses and imposes a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 days in jail for three or more offenses.
He also signed into law SB 1036 which amps up penalties for crimes committed by someone who illegally returns to the country after being deported.
Under that bill, a third degree felony which carries a sentence of up to 5 years in prison after deportation will be charged as a second-degree felony with a penalty of up to 15 years in prison. Also under the measure, a second degree felony after deportation will be charged as a first-degree felony with penalties of up to 30-years in prison and a first-degree felony after deportation will be charged as a life felony.
SB 1036 also boosts penalties for crimes committed to further drug cartels. HB 1589 and HB1451 become effective on July 1. SB 1036 goes into effect on Oct. 1.
