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Council approves ordinance limiting city-funded services for unauthorized immigrants after heated debate
Summary
After more than three hours of debate and public comment, the Jacksonville City Council approved ordinance 20 25 0 1 3 8, restricting use of some city grant and contract dollars for services that knowingly serve unauthorized immigrants; the measure passed 11-7 with multiple carve-outs and exemptions added on the floor.
Jacksonville City Council on Tuesday approved ordinance 20 25 0 1 3 8, a measure that restricts the use of certain city grant and contract dollars for programs that knowingly provide services to unauthorized immigrants. The final vote was 11 yeas and 7 nays after the council adopted four separate floor amendments that added exemptions for categories including children’s services, victims of domestic violence, pregnant women and certain public-health and military services.
The ordinance drew large public turnout and intense public comment, with 63 speakers during the public-comment period. Dozens of speakers urged the council to reject the measure; several nonprofit leaders warned the new rules would conflict with federal contracts and federal law.
Citywide implications: Supporters framed the ordinance as a taxpayer‑protection and accountability measure; opponents called it discriminatory, legally risky and likely to reduce access to health,…
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