TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida’s Senate Judiciary Committee approved legislation Tuesday to penalize so-called “sanctuary cities” that don't assist federal immigration authorities in arresting known undocumented immigrants.

  • SB 168 could penalize Florida 'sanctuary cities'
  • Cities can be fined up to $5,000/day for noncompliance 
  • Bill's opponents hopeful DeSantis will moderate position on sanctuary cities

Under SB 168 by Rep. Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota), local governments could be fined up to $5,000 a day for noncompliance. The measure mirrors Republican bills that have been filed over the last few years but have failed to gain traction in the Senate.

"We need action now at the state level before population centers begin rejecting the rule of law, as seen in other states," one of the bill's supporters, Lane Watkins, told the panel before the party-line vote.

Democrats tried and failed to amend the legislation to, among other things, exempt state university police forces from its provisions. The proposal's practical effect, they warned, would be to tear apart law-abiding families.

Margarita Romo, an immigrant rights activist who founded the Farmworkers Self-Help program in Hernando and Pasco counties, questioned whether the legislation, by mandating that police departments execute warrantless arrests, is even constitutional.

"If it's someone that kills someone, somebody that really does something bad, that's a criminal. But what about our people that are just out working and trying to make a living? What are they?" she asked at a press conference following Tuesday's vote.

While the verdict on the legislation's prospects during the upcoming legislative session is still decidedly out, a wildcard of sorts is seen in Gov. Ron DeSantis. During his 2018 campaign, DeSantis railed aggressively against sanctuary cities, winning over the hearts -- and votes -- of conservatives aligned with President Donald Trump's hardline philosophy on immigration enforcement.

"In Florida, we're not going to have any sanctuary cities if I'm governor," DeSantis said shortly after securing the Republican gubernatorial nomination.

The governor's comments on the issue are giving Republican supporters of the sanctuary cities crackdown reason for optimism, not just that he'd sign it if it were to pass the legislature, but that he'd serve as a cheerleader to help it across the finish line.

DeSantis' first six weeks in office, however, have been marked by a centrist streak that has left much of his more sultry campaign trail rhetoric by the wayside. The bill's opponents are hopeful the governor will moderate his position on sanctuary cities as well.

"We are Americans. This is our country. We are going to be here every single day of this session, and we're going to continue to say ‘no, no, no!’" Romo exclaimed.