A lawsuit has been filed against Florida’s SB 1718 immigration law, arguing that certain provisions of the law are unconstitutional and discriminatory. The lawsuit seeks to protect immigrants and their communities from the negative effects of this law.
The lawsuit, filed by a coalition of advocacy groups and individuals, argues that the law violates the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution by discriminating against immigrants based on their national origin. The law, which was signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis in June, requires local law enforcement agencies to cooperate with federal immigration authorities and bans so-called “sanctuary cities” in the state.
Critics of the law argue that it will lead to racial profiling and discrimination against immigrants, particularly those from Latin America. They also argue that it will make immigrant communities less safe by discouraging immigrants from reporting crimes or cooperating with law enforcement.
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit include several advocacy groups, including the Florida Immigrant Coalition, the Farmworker Association of Florida, and the WeCount! organization. They are joined by several individual plaintiffs, including immigrants who fear that the law will lead to their detention and deportation.
The lawsuit seeks to block the implementation of the law and to declare its provisions unconstitutional. It also seeks to protect immigrants and their communities from the negative effects of the law by ensuring that law enforcement agencies do not engage in racial profiling or discrimination.
