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.
Get South Florida local news, weather forecasts and entertainment stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC South Florida newsletters.
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.
