In a recent development, Florida has enacted a law that categorizes the act of transporting undocumented immigrants into the state as a felony. This legislation has drawn sharp criticism from Mexico’s presidential administration. NPR’s Greg Allen has reported on Mexico’s efforts to defend one of the first individuals arrested under this law.
Raquel Lopez Aguilar was driving a van with six passengers when he was stopped by state troopers in August. The reason for the stop was cited as having excessively dark tint on the rear windows and multiple cracks on the windshield. Subsequently, Border Patrol agents were called to the scene. Lopez Aguilar informed them that he and the passengers were traveling from Georgia to Tampa. Consequently, he was arrested and charged with four counts of human smuggling. The Mexican government is providing financial assistance for Lopez Aguilar’s legal defense under a program that supports Mexican nationals in the United States. The Mexican consul in Orlando has strongly criticized Lopez Aguilar’s arrest, labeling it as a “complete injustice.” The consul has even visited Lopez Aguilar in jail and has scheduled a news conference to address the situation.
Lopez Aguilar is believed to be the first person arrested under this controversial Florida law. If he is convicted, he could potentially face up to five years in prison for each of the four counts of human smuggling. Governor Ron DeSantis signed this law in May, proudly declaring it to be the most stringent migrant legislation in the country. He warned potential wrongdoers that Florida would not be a hospitable place for those involved in smuggling activities and suggested they look to sanctuary states like California or Illinois instead.
Mexico’s President, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, voiced strong opposition to this law in July, shortly after it took effect. He not only condemned the law but also urged Americans not to support DeSantis in his presidential ambitions. DeSantis responded by asserting that Florida would not allow its immigration policies to be dictated by Mexico City.
The law contains various provisions, including invalidating driver’s licenses and IDs issued to undocumented immigrants by other states, mandating the use of the federal E-Verify system for worker eligibility checks by all businesses in Florida, and requiring Medicaid-accepting hospitals to inquire about patients’ citizenship status.
The most contentious provision of the law, however, is the one that criminalizes the transportation of undocumented migrants. A coalition of immigrant rights groups has challenged this provision in federal court, arguing that it is ambiguously worded and potentially makes it a felony to transport individuals who may have entered the country without inspection by federal authorities. Additionally, the law’s opponents contend that Florida lacks the constitutional authority to regulate migrant transportation, as this jurisdiction is typically held by the federal government. Florida’s attorney general is staunchly defending the law, dismissing claims of its unconstitutionality.