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Legislation aimed at ending midnight flights of immigrants into Florida cleared its first House Committee today in the state Capitol. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, the state can’t stop those who transport the immigrants, but it can stop the companies from doing business with the state or local governments.

The staff analysis for House Bill 1355, quoting News4 Jax, says that 78 charter flights carrying unaccompanied children landed at Jacksonville International during a six month period last year. 

“A number of children have been locked on airplanes in the middle of the night and left on tarmac’s” said Sponsor John Snyder (R-Stuart), the Sponsor.  

“There are individuals from every corner of the earth that know, if you can make it to Mexico, there’s an open ticket” added Snyder.

The bill goes after common carriers, those who transport people for money, from getting state or local contracts if they were hired to transport immigrants who were apprehended at the border.

“How many contracts like that are in force?” Asked Democrat Gearldine Thompson 

“We don’t know what we don’t know” responded Snyder.

Advocate Karen Woodall told lawmakers the Feds are just following the law.

“The transport is not illegal. It’s required by Federal law.”

Then there was Zachery, a 12 year old who asked  “Why are you attacking kids who look like me? Kids, we’re just kids.”

The bill was approved twelve to five.

The legislation did garner the vote of one Democrat.

Outside, Yenniser Molina, Zachery’s mother, was near tears.

“We’re here to provide for our families. We don’t want to do any harm. We love it here.”

The legislation is one of the Governor’s top priorities.