Press Releases
For Immediate Release
July 19, 2010
Representative Greg Evers Files Immigration Legislation
Baker, Fla. –Representative Greg Evers (R- Baker) today filed legislation for the upcoming Special Session that is slated to start tomorrow, July 20, 2010, mirroring the Arizona law on immigration.
While the Governor’s call of the Special Session is solely for consideration of a proposed constitutional amendment banning offshore drilling, Evers filed this legislation should the call of the Special Session be expanded. Evers believes that immigration, job growth and job preservation are intertwined in Florida, and especially in Northwest Florida where many workers are searching for employment as a result of the Deepwater Horizon tragedy. Representative Evers believes that protecting and creating Northwest Florida jobs for Northwest Floridians is of the utmost importance and is of the utmost urgency.
“Our area has taken an unprecedented economic hit because of the Deepwater Horizon tragedy, and I believe that we need to make recovery and economic revival a number one priority. The Arizona law, which I have followed directly in drafting this Florida legislation, accomplishes not only a crackdown on illegal immigration but also stimulation of the economy by making sure that American jobs go to American workers,” said Representative Evers. “While this Special Session may not be expanded to other issues, I am committed to making sure that this critical issue remains our high priority and is addressed at the earliest opportunity possible. I will keep filing this legislation until we can pass it. It’s just that important to me personally and to the future of all Floridians.”
The 33-page bill, among other things, creates Chapter 820 in Florida Statutes entitled “Illegal Immigration,” prohibits state or local government policies that limit or restrict the enforcement of federal immigration laws to less than the full extent permitted by federal law; requires that when lawful contact is made with a person by a law enforcement officer and reasonable suspicion exists that the person is an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States, a reasonable attempt shall be made to determine the person's immigration status; requires transfer of unlawfully present persons convicted of offenses to custody of the United States upon discharge from imprisonment or assessment of fine; and permits warrantless arrests of certain aliens.
Evers has had the privilege of serving the residents of Florida House District 1, which includes northern portions of Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa Counties, in the Florida House of Representatives since 2001. A fifth-generation, panhandle farmer and small businessman, Evers puts his real-world experience to good use in the Florida Legislature and is proud of his accomplishments on behalf of Florida’s critical agriculture industry, economic development, job creation, and preserving and protecting Northwest Florida values, including acting as a champion of our Second Amendment rights and protections. He has sponsored and passed NRA priority legislation, protecting the right of law-abiding citizens to have legal firearms secured in the automobiles in public parking lots and protecting against raids of Florida’s Concealed Carry Permit Trust Fund. He has also sponsored legislation, protecting Floridians from unnecessary federal government intrusion into health care freedoms and choices, designating “In God We Trust” as the official motto of the State of Florida, enabling Florida farmers to transport their farm equipment from field to field without the burden of additional government permits or fees, enabling the reopening of the Jay Oil Field to restore numerous Northwest Florida jobs, and extending the dates between parole hearings for violent criminal offenders to protect victims and taxpayer resources. Evers has never been prouder of any legislation he has sponsored than he is of House Bill 31, which will protect the First Amendment religious speech rights of teachers and students across Florida from future infringements, such as those suffered at the hands of the ACLU in Santa Rosa County.
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