JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A proposed ordinance that aims to prohibit the use of city funds for services to people living in the country illegally is moving forward in the city council.
On Tuesday, the Jacksonville Finance Committee unanimously approved an amended version of Ordinance 025-0138. The bill, introduced by Councilmember Rory Diamond, would track how city, state and federal grants are used for DEI, and services that support immigrants living in the country illegally.
“Over the last four years, we’ve been an open border and 20 million people came across that border, putting a border on cities and states like Jacksonville,” Diamond said. “So the question was OK, how many illegal aliens are in Jacksonville? How many are getting services? And no one knows the answer. So the first thing the bill does is require we get that answer.”
Diamond said the bill is “essentially the second half” of the Jacksonville Illegal Immigration Enforcement Act that was approved by the city council in late March.
RELATED | Jacksonville City Council passes bill to crack down on illegal immigration
“If you are accepting essentially services paid for by taxpayer dollars here in Jacksonville and you’re not in the country illegally, you shouldn’t be able to get it,” Diamond said during a Rules Committee meeting.
Diamond said overall, the bill would make Jacksonville a better place.
“This is really sending a message that Jacksonville is not a sanctuary city,” Diamond said. “A lot of cities have said, ‘Hey come to our town we will give you free services, we will make sure ICE doesn’t find you.’ It’s creating huge problems for them.”
If passed, the bill would require Mayor Donna Deegan to submit a report to the Finance Committee on or before June 30, including:
- A list and description of all federal grants to the city
- Confirmation that the City of Jacksonville is in compliance with all applicable federal and state anti-discrimination laws
- A list and explanation of any employment practices or other city policies related to the application of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- The number of people living in the country illegally, if any, living in public housing under the jurisdiction and control of the City or any of its independent agencies.
Maria Garcia, an organizer with Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance, said something like this should not be allowed in Jacksonville.
“We are against this ordinance because it only serves to hurt community members who not only power our economy, but our neighbors, our friends, students,” Garcia said.
She said instead of some City Council members focusing on undocumented immigrants, they should focus on improving the area.
“We have very serious issues in Jacksonville that are going unaddressed because certain members of our city council are trying to exploit xenophobia and racism for political gain,” Garcia said. “This very cruel ordinance would be directly harming our immigrant children.”
The amendments approved on Tuesday include providing an exception for Shands Jacksonville Medical Center, now called UF Health, an exception for sex trafficking victims, and a one-year exemption for Kids Hope Alliance.
The Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance also said the ordinance “unfairly targets immigrant families, undermines public safety, and diverts attention from the real challenges facing Jacksonville.”
“Look at what city county ignores: Corporate slumlords pricing out working people and contributing to the homelessness crisis. Developers paving over our whole city with poorly built developments yet no upgrades for infrastructure. But sure—go after people who come here to work and provide for their families," said Garcia.
News4JAX reached out to the city for a comment on Kids Hope Alliance and how this could impact them. Officials replied, saying they will review the bill once it’s finalized.
