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United States News Title: Bennett pitches his Arizona-style immigration bill [ Florida ] MANATEE -- A state senator from Bradenton recently introduced a bill, based on a controversial Arizona law, that he says will crack down on illegal immigration in Florida. Under Sen. Mike Bennett’s six-page bill, filed last week, authorities would be able to determine the immigration status for someone during a lawful stop if they have “reasonable suspicion” to believe the person is illegally present in the United States. “We’re not doing a racial profiling type bill,” Bennett said. “I think we have to find ways to correct the illegal immigration problem. How do we reduce the amount of illegals involved in criminals activities? “In some ways, (law enforcement) doesn’t have the ability to get them deported. The federal government doesn’t do their end of the job. We’re going to be looking at pushing that harder,” Bennett said. The bill, based on a controversial Arizona law that has sparked boycotts and other protests, would also make it a first-degree misdemeanor if someone fails to complete or carry an alien registration document. Violators could be fined up to $100 and sentenced to up to 20 days in jail. “If the sheriff arrests somebody and they are here illegally, we should be able to call Immigration and Customs Enforcement and get them out of our lives,” Bennett said. Manatee County Sheriff Brad Steube said once someone is arrested they are automatically run through the ICE database to determine their immigration status. He characterized Bennett’s bill as vague and said the proposal doesn’t state what local authorities should do once an illegal status is determined. “There’s nothing in this document that really tells me what to do,” Steube said. He said ICE is currently notified if someone in jail is illegal, however, in most cases, illegal immigrants are not picked up by the federal agency. According to statistics from ICE, a total of 987 illegal immigrants have been identified in Manatee County through a database activated in October 2009. Of those, nearly 17 percent, or 166 people were picked up by immigration authorities. From the total identified as illegal, nearly 10 percent, or 98 people, were deported, according to ICE statistics. “Simply being in the country illegally is not a deportable offense,” Steube said. He said people who have already been deported once are more than likely picked up by ICE. However, Steube said most people are able to post bond and leave before ICE makes a determination to place a hold, he said. Danielle Bennett, a spokeswoman for ICE in Tampa, said the database, Secure Communities, is implemented statewide through every county in Florida. She said the system alerts customs agents of the most violent offenders. “Based on the resources we have, we’re going after the worst of the worst,” she said. Danielle Bennett said she could not comment on any proposed legislation. Jim Delgado, a defense attorney in Palmetto, said Sen. Bennett’s bill is a political ploy. “It’s the same old thing that’s been going around. It’s good for the political season,” he said. “It’s easy to blame somebody.” Delgado and local authorities said what the bill proposes is in part already in place through an existing provision in federal law. “What Sen. Bennett doesn’t understand is that it’s already being done,” Delgado said. “(The bill is) being used as a political tool.” Delgado said workers who may be here illegally are a driving force in the local economy, with the rent they pay and products they purchase. Bennett said introducing the bill is starting point in dealing with the immigration issue. “I just want to make sure we handle this problem with a very even hand. I know there’s a lot of people that say, ‘Throw them all out,’” he said. “The only way I can control this and get discussions going is to have a bill.” Read more: http://www.bradenton.com/2010/12/02/2780894/bennett-pitches-his-arizona-style.html#ixzz17GxrN33m
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