© 2026 WGCU News
News for all of Southwest Florida
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

ID cards for undocumented immigrants in Florida targeted

A massive march and rally was held June 28, 2023, beginning at Centennial Park, marching through downtown Fort Myers, along Palm Beach Blvd to El Nuevo Maguey a restaurant on Palm Beach Blvd. From June 28th to July 5th the immigrant community of Florida have entered into a work stoppage to protest the now law SB 1718. The marched to demonstrate their value to the economy.
Andrea Melendez
/
WGCU
A Senate committee Tuesday approved a bill that would prevent cities and counties from accepting identification cards issued to undocumented immigrants. Above, a massive march and rally was held June 28, 2023, beginning at Centennial Park, marching through downtown Fort Myers, along Palm Beach Blvd to El Nuevo Maguey a restaurant on Palm Beach Blvd. From June 28th to July 5th the immigrant community of Florida have entered into a work stoppage to protest the now law SB 1718. The marched to demonstrate their value to the economy.

In another round in long-running debates about illegal immigration, a Senate committee Tuesday approved a bill that would prevent cities and counties from accepting identification cards issued to undocumented immigrants.

The Republican-controlled Judiciary Committee voted 7-3 along party lines to approve the bill (SB 1174), sponsored by Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill.

The issue focuses on what are known as “community” identification cards that have been issued in some areas to undocumented immigrants and other people.

Ingoglia said the bill and other legislation are designed to “take away the magnets” that help attract undocumented immigrants to Florida.

But opponents said identification cards are important for people to do such things as enroll children in schools.

Also, Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book, D-Davie, said identification can be important in interactions between people and law-enforcement officers.

Trusted by over 30,000 local subscribers

Local News, Right Sized for Your Morning

Quick briefs when you are busy, deeper explainers when it matters, delivered early morning and curated by WGCU editors.

  • Environment
  • Local politics
  • Health
  • And more

Free and local. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

More from WGCU
  • Ken Ludwig has built a career as a decorated comedic playwright. He’s had six shows on Broadway and eight on London’s West End. The New York Times called his first Broadway play, “Lend Me a Tenor,” one of the two great farces by a living writer. Based on his parents' courtship during World War II, "Dear Jack, Dear Louise" is the closest Ludwig has come to writing a straight, non-comedic play.
  • Spring is a busy time for both birds and humans. The cycle of life begins anew for both. Birds begin nest-building, then lay eggs in their nest, and tend to hatchlings; humans plant gardens, flowers, and begin the annual routine of yard care. When young birds leave the nest, their parents still must tend to the young – either providing them with food or leading them to good foraging areas and protecting them from potential predators. To birds, humans are potential predators. Birds scold, dive at, and sometimes even strike humans that come close to their nest or young. Such attacks can be indication that a nest or young is near – and attacks are a good cue to not prune a nest tree or shrub or to not mow over a ground nest. Attacks are also an opportunity to show youngsters the adults, their nest, eggs, and young… but from a distance.
  • FPL shares tips for Florida snowbirds to protect homes, prevent mold and reduce energy costs while away during the summer months.