Measures target people convicted of driving without a license – which undocumented people can’t obtain – or committing felonies

Measures target people convicted of driving without a license – which undocumented people can’t obtain – or committing felonies

Florida’s governor signed bills Friday that increase the prison and jail sentences for immigrants who are living in the United States illegally if they are convicted of driving without a license or committing felonies.

Ron DeSantis is a frequent critic of the Biden administration over its handling of the Mexican border, sending Florida law enforcement agents and national guard members to Texas. The Republican governor, who ended his attempt for his party’s presidential nomination last month, has also flown immigrants who entered Texas illegally to Massachusetts and California.

  • Boddhisatva@lemmy.world
    3·
    4 months ago

    Probably not. The headline is a bit misleading.

    The driver’s license bill increases the maximum sentence for anyone convicted of driving without a license twice or more from 60 days in jail to a year. This also applies to US citizens and immigrants in the country legally – but in Florida, undocumented people are barred from obtaining a license in the first place.

    It applies to everyone, but since Florida doesn’t issue drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants, they are more likely to be caught driving without a license. It’s still a very stupid law. Jailing people isn’t free. Adding 10 months to their sentences gains the state nothing and costs it about $16,500 per conviction.