HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. — As a trial gets underway for a father from Mexico accused of smuggling other migrants into Tampa last summer, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed new bills he said are aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration.
Raquel Lopez Aguilar was arrested in August of 2023 after the Florida Highway Patrol said he brought six other undocumented immigrants from Georgia to Tampa. His trial is scheduled to begin April 8.
"We're proud of the Legislature for stepping up and for getting this done," Gov. Ron DeSantis said during the bill signing last year.
SB 1718 is a sweeping immigration law that DeSantis called the "strongest anti-illegal immigration legislation in the country."
Lopez Aguilar's case is believed to be the first arrest under the new law which has enhanced penalties for those for those who knowingly transport immigrants in the country illegally to Florida.
Representatives for the father of two who worked as a roofer in Tampa have the support of the Mexican president. The Consulate of Mexico in Orlando and an attorney declared his innocence at a press conference this past September.
“We will win this case,” said Juan Sabines, Mexican Consul in Orlando. "For me, nobody is illegal in this world."
They would increase penalties for those who have been deported before.
A third-degree felony after being deported will be charged as a second-degree felony, a second-degree felony will be charged as a first-degree and a first-degree will be charged as a life felony.
This new law would also increase the maximum sentence for people charged with driving without a valid license.
The governor tied the driver’s license bill signed to a Florida law that already bars immigrants in the country illegally from obtaining one. It increases the maximum sentence for anyone convicted of driving without a license twice or more from 60 days in jail to a year — this also applies to U.S. citizens and immigrants in the country legally.
In the last year, the recent legislation has prompted several protests across the state.
Among the most heavily followed included protests dubbed, "A day without immigrants."
Critics argue the laws could also have unintended consequences including economic impact, and labor shortages in areas like agriculture and construction.
Opponents have made attempts to challenge the law with critics arguing it illegally infringes upon federal law and is unconstitutionally vague.
Nanci Palacios, a DACA recipient who is serving as the Faith in Florida deputy director, said the fear continues to linger among undocumented immigrant communities.
"We're not talking about people who are coming here to commit crime," Palacios said. "People just want to be able to survive and be able to thrive and add to this to this great state of Florida."
Palacios said a number of families have left the state as a result but also refused to seek medical care due to new rules under the legislation.
The new law requires hospitals that accept Medicaid to include a citizenship question on intake forms.
Palacios said many undocumented immigrants in the country have been living here for decades and want to help their communities.
"People have dreams and aspirations for their families, just like you do," Palacios said. "The only different thing is where we were born."
Lawyers can sue the charter flight company that transported them to the island off the Massachusetts coast, according to a ruling last Monday by a federal judge in Boston.
The 50 Venezuelans were sent to Martha’s Vineyard from San Antonio, Texas, and had been promised work and housing opportunities.
Plaintiffs call it a victory.
“We look forward to Florida's next illegal immigrant relocation flight," wrote in part by a spokesperson for DeSantis in response.