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Immigrants could be required to carry documentation proving they are here legally under legislation being supported by Florida’s Attorney General. The bill would also require businesses to check the legal status of people they hire. As Whitney Ray tells us, the legislation is aimed at ridding the state of illegal immigrants, but opponents of the measure say it’s a political ploy in an election year.

There are an estimated one million people living in Florida who aren’t supposed to be in the United States. Immigration issues are handled by the Federal Government,

But Florida’s Attorney General, Bill McCollum, is tired of waiting on a federal fix. McCollum is supporting state legislation aimed at cutting down on illegal immigration by giving Florida police officers extra immigration authority. The legislation would also increase criminal penalties for illegal immigrants. Legal immigrants would be required to carry around documentation proving they’re here legally.

State Representative Greg Evers filed similar legislation before July’s one day special session, basing his bill on Arizona’s immigration law.

“It will reduce the impact it is having on our economy from the medical and educational and all the other things the immigrants are using, the illegal immigrants,” said Evers.

But many think Arizona’s law could lead to racial profiling. The AG’s office says the newer plan could be implemented without targeting someone by their skin color.

“The check only comes after reasonable suspicion is developed, If you have lawful reason to stop them or inquire of them in the first place,” said Emery Gainey, the AG’s Director of Law Enforcement Relations.

But opponents, like Democratic lawmaker Alan Williams, say immigration should be left up to the feds and McCollum is backing the bill for all the wrong reasons.

“I think it’s just political posturing by the Attorney General,” said Williams.

McCollum’s rival Rick Scott was the first to support Arizona’s immigration law, but now McCollum hopes to own it. The legislation would also require businesses to use the Federal E-Verify program to check an employee’s ID with information from the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration.