Concerned Miamians are demanding Republican State Senator Ileana Garcia vote 'no' on a bill that would make it a felony to have an undocumented family member or friend in your home, car, place of business or worship.
Thomas Kennedy is with the Florida Immigrant Coalition and says the bill will criminalize Miamians for living their lives. It's a felony if fake I-D is intentionally used.
"This is a very harsh, anti-immigrant, show me your papers police state, big government overreach, and we condemn it. We're not going to tolerate it. This is not representative of our community and what Florida should be, " said Kennedy.
More than half the Miami-Dade population is foreign-born, and the bill is designed to motivate them to become citizens. More than 130,000 documented citizens are married to undocumented spouses.
Kennedy adds, "Especially in a state like Florida where we have so many people from Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Colombia. This is a very, very diverse state with a lot of different diaspora communities."
The group is planning a Thursday protest at Garcia's office on Coral Way and visiting her neighbors in Little Havana to warn them about what the Senator is supporting.