For Immediate Release: February 7, 2023
Contact: Laura Rivera, FCV Communications Director, (813) 424-9952, [email protected]
Krizia López Arce, Chispa Communications Manager, (407) 509-0869, [email protected]
Twitter: @FCVoters
Florida Conservation Voters on DeSantis’ Inhumane Bill Proposal
Florida Conservation Voters reacts to the unconstitutional and inhumane program proposal by Gov. Ron DeSantis
Tallahassee, FL – This week, the Florida Legislature is considering two bills (HB 5B and SB 6B) that would create a program allowing the Governor to relocate immigrants from one state to another, even if those individuals are not located in Florida. The bills also allocate $10 million from Florida taxpayers to establish the program, entitled “Unauthorized Alien Transport Program.”
Florida Conservation Voters opposes these bills. Yesterday, after being heard by the House Appropriations Committee, 20 Republicans voted in favor (2 missed voting) and all 8 Democrats opposed the bill.
As we work to keep up with this fast-moving legislation, Florida Conservation Voters’ Chispa Program Director Denise Lugo issued the following statement:
“Rather than focusing on the everyday real problems Floridians are experiencing, like affordable housing or access to clean water, the Governor’s migrant relocation plan scapegoats already vulnerable human beings who have fled ecological, economic, and humanitarian catastrophes in search of safety for their families. It’s heartbreaking to see Republican lawmakers in both chambers of the Florida legislature support this political theater by Governor DeSantis – it’s nothing more than a tactic designed to curry favor with a small fraction of ultra-conservative voters and build DeSantis’ political brand on the national stage.”
Florida Conservation Voters is appalled by the Governor’s incessant efforts to fuel culture wars. We encourage you to learn more about why the migrant relocation bills are so insidious by visiting the following organizations that work tirelessly for human and civil rights:
Florida Immigrant Coalition
Florida Rising
Southern Poverty Law Center
Community Justice Project
National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice
Farmworkers Association of Florida
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