Fighting Against Illegal Immigration

This week a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction that will prevent law enforcement from performing critical functions under Arizona’s Immigration Law while the Court deliberates on the constitutionality of the law's key provisions. My office will continue to actively support Arizona in the legal fight challenging their law and continue working with Representative Will Snyder, House Chairman of Criminal and Civil Justice Policy Council, to draft legislation for Florida's version of the Arizona immigration law.

In Cabinet this week, I proposed a motion that was passed unanimously requiring all Florida state agencies under the Cabinet's authority to use the E-verify system when screening potential employees. The Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify system allows employers to determine the eligibility of an employee to work in the United States.

I applaud our Cabinet for taking action and voting to require that every Cabinet agency use the E-verify system. Florida state government should lead by example, and this is an excellent example to set.

Finally, this week Florida lost a great man. My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and colleagues of Admiral Collins, the Secretary of the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs. Admiral Collins was a Naval Officer with an exemplary career, an exceptional public servant, and an advocate for our state's thousands of veterans. He will be missed greatly.