Florida bill would add penalties for felonies by previously deported migrants

(The Center Square) — A new bill has been filed in the Florida Legislature that would increase penalties for criminal migrants who reenter the United States illegally.

Senate Bill 1036 was introduced by state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, ahead of Florida’s legislative session which begins on Jan. 9.

According to the bill, criminal penalties would be increased for migrants who have been previously deported under federal immigration proceedings and then reenter the U.S. illegally only to go on to commit a felony while in the Sunshine State.

If SB 1036 became law, a third-degree felony would become a second-degree one with a maximum term of 15 years in prison.

A second-degree felony would be upgraded to a first-degree felony with a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. Under SB 1036, first-degree felonies would be upgraded to a life felony.