1/8 Florida Senate Committee OK's Immigration Bill

Miami Herald: Legislators seeking to discourage the hiring of illegal immigrants are one step closer to overhauling Florida's employment law. The State Senate's judiciary committee on Monday approved a bill requiring companies use the federal government's electronic verification program for new hires or to request those employees show state-issued identification cards. The bill also encourages local enforcement agencies to train officers to enforce federal immigration laws. Unlike previous drafts, though, the bill does not require such training due to budget constraints. The proposal passed along party lines with Republicans in favor, Democrats against. Lawmakers declined to hear comments from the more than 100 immigrants and their supporters attending the hearing. The bill must now go through two more committees before it reaches the Senate floor.