Outgoing state legislator files bill to block immigrants who are in Florida illegally from filing lawsuits
Jesse Scheckner
December 31, 2024
He described the measure as a ‘novel approach to disincentivizing illegal migration.’
People in Florida today, regardless of their immigration status, have a right to seek civil action under the 14th Amendment’s “due process” clause. That could change under a new proposal from outgoing state Rep. Joel Rudman.
Rudman, a Navarre Republican who is leaving office to run for Congress, just filed legislation (HB 71) to ban any “unauthorized alien” from filing a lawsuit in Florida.
If approved, the measure would take effect July 1.
Rudman told Florida Politics his measure would not affect criminal matters, for which everyone — whether they entered Florida legally or not — would have equal rights and protection. But the bill would help to discourage undocumented immigrants from coming to the Sunshine State, he added, while also making Florida’s lawsuit-related statutes square with the first hurdle of civil actions.
“Before you go before any court of law, the first thing they have to determine is whether you have legal standing to file your case. If your entire premise for being in this country is built upon illegality, then it’s impossible for you to have legal standing,” he said.
https://floridapolitics.com/archives/713598-outgoing-state-legislator-files-bill-to-block-immigrants-who-are-in-florida-illegally-from-filing-lawsuits/
