In Orlando, Florida, local officials are working to make sure people in the community know their rights. This is because new state and federal immigration laws and policies have come into effect.
On Thursday, Florida District 44 Representative Rita Harris held an immigration policy roundtable. She invited religious and community leaders to take part. They met in a small room at First Baptist Church in Orlando. The people there said they wanted to calm people’s worries.
Harris asked community advocates and religious leaders to share important information about Florida’s new, wide – reaching immigration laws. She said, “I want people to understand what the laws are, and what they can and can’t do.”
Now, all 67 counties in Florida will be part of the 287(g) Task Force. This lets local police enforce immigration laws. It also allows U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to train, certify, and give local officers the power to serve and carry out warrants in jails.
That’s why the Florida Immigration Coalition gave a presentation at Thursday’s roundtable. Andres Zambrarano from the Florida Immigration Coalition said, “We need to give all communities the information they need. So, if there are changes because of the new administration, people will have all this info and tools to protect their rights.”
The presentation told people what to do and what not to do if they are stopped by police. It also told people to carry different forms of ID and to have an emergency plan.
The new situation is making many people nervous. But the leaders and officials at the meeting said that by having meetings like this one, they can keep their communities informed and safe. Alberto Ponce, the Technical Secretary at the Orlando Consulate of Mexico, said, “Sometimes, just knowing you’re not alone and that there are people who care and want to help can make you feel better.”
Harris said there will be more roundtables in the future. Local officials and groups like the Consulate of Mexico plan to keep helping as many people as they can across the state.
The Orlando Consulate of Mexico is inviting people to a Week of External Legal Consultations. It will be from March 3 – 7, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The aim is to make sure people know their rights and to give free legal help to migrants.
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