Following in the footsteps of Arizona’s controversial anti-immigration bill, the Florida legislature is considering its own new law that would allow law enforcement to stop motorists suspected of being in the country illegally. But the Florida legislation, drafted by state Rep. William Snyder (R-Stuart), also includes language that allows police to skip bothering people from numerous European and Asian countries.

 

Citizens from a total of 37 countries would be presumed to be legally in the United States if they can show a passport from one of thirty-six of the nations that participate in the Visa Waiver Program run by the State Department or from Canada.

 

Those on the visa waiver list include Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the United Kingdom.

Although the bill also includes language that says law enforcement officers “may not consider race, color or national origin,” the fact that it exempts the citizens from 37 countries has led critics to argue that it is aimed at immigrants from Mexico and Central America.

-Noel Brinkerhoff, David Wallechinsky

 

Florida's Arizona-Style Immigration Bill Would Give Canadians, Europeans a Free Pass (by Tim Elfrink, Miami New Times)

Immigration Bill Draft (Florida House of Representatives)

Countries Participating in the Visa Waiver Program (State Department)