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House passes SB 2C to create State Board of Immigration Enforcement, grant program and $298 million appropriation
Summary
The Florida House passed SB 2C on Feb. 13 to establish a state board overseeing immigration enforcement policy, create a local law enforcement grant program (including one-time bonuses), repeal an undocumented-student fee waiver and appropriate roughly $298 million; the final vote was announced as 85 yays, 30 nays.
The Florida House on Feb. 13 passed Senate Bill 2C, a package that establishes a State Board of Immigration Enforcement (the governor and cabinet serve as the board), creates a local law-enforcement immigration grant program, contemplates incentive bonuses for participating officers, repeals the in-state tuition fee waiver for undocumented students beginning July 1, 2025, and includes an appropriation totaling roughly $298 million to support state and local immigration enforcement efforts. Representative McClure introduced and explained the bill; the clerk announced final passage as 85 yays and 30 nays.
Key provisions the sponsor described include a board chaired by the governor and cabinet, a State Immigration Enforcement Council composed of sheriffs and police chiefs to advise the board, a grant program to award funds and one-time bonuses to officers who cooperate with federal immigration enforcement under programs such as 287(g), and the removal of an in-state tuition fee waiver for certain undocumented students effective July 1, 2025. The sponsor said the appropriation would help local law enforcement with enforcement activities.
The bill generated sustained floor debate and multiple amendment offers. Opponents raised concerns about deputization of local officers, whether school resource officers or school campuses could be affected, impacts on trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement, and the fiscal cost of the appropriation. Representative Bartleman offered an amendment to prohibit law enforcement from entering schools during school hours to detain children solely on immigration status; the amendment was debated but not adopted. Representative Driscoll offered an amendment to protect clergy and teachers from being compelled to enforce immigration actions on conscience grounds; that amendment also failed on the floor. Representatives Woodson and Eskamani filed amendments seeking grandfathering or protections for students currently receiving in-state tuition; those amendments were debated and not adopted.
Sponsor McClure said schools and victims of crime should be protected and noted the bill contemplates federal 287(g) guidance; several members warned the bill could lead to litigation and urged a fiscal analysis. Representative Driscoll urged the House to include protections for faith leaders and teachers. The bill will now proceed per legislative process to the governor or further bicameral steps.
