Statement on Eleventh Circuit Ruling in City of South Miami v. DeSantis
MIAMI 鈥斕�罢丑别听Southern Poverty Law Center听(人兽性交) and听听released the following statements in response to the Eleventh Circuit听诲别肠颈蝉颈辞苍听in the听City of South Miami, et al. v. DeSantis, et al., a case challenging Florida鈥檚 law prohibiting sanctuary policies and requiring local police to act as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The case was filed by听, , , , , , , ., 听and the . They are represented by the Southern Poverty Law Center, the , the 听补苍诲听.
A.J. Hern谩ndez Anderson,听senior supervising attorney for the 人兽性交鈥檚听Immigrant Justice Project:
鈥淭his is a disappointing decision, but importantly, it is a procedural ruling that does not go to the merits of our challenge. The District Court got it right 鈥� this law only encourages law enforcement to use their discretion as to who might be an immigrant based on nothing other than their appearance, and thus inevitably leads to racial profiling. The organizations that brought this lawsuit work closely with the immigrant community throughout the state and responded to the issues and concerns that arose when and since SB 168 was enacted. The appellate court鈥檚 decision erodes organizational standing and makes community access to the courts all the more difficult 鈥� particularly when hateful laws are passed that attack an entire community. We will continue to fight for justice and against the increased vitriol coming out of Tallahassee, in and out of the courts.鈥澨�
Lisa Lehner, director of the听听at Americans for Immigrant Justice:
"Americans for Immigrant Justice is profoundly disappointed by the Eleventh Circuit鈥檚 reversal of the District Judge鈥檚 decision that had enjoined the enforcement of SB168. The appeals court鈥檚 opinion fails to recognize and fully appreciate the impact of this legislation on the immigrant communities in Florida and organizations鈥�, like AI Justice鈥檚, efforts to serve and protect people vulnerable to racial profiling and continued discrimination based on their national origin."
BACKGROUND:听
South Miami and Immigrant Rights Groups Sue Florida Over Unconstitutional Immigration Law听(July 16, 2019)听
During the trial, the organizational plaintiffs provided compelling testimony on discriminatory impact of SB 168. Plaintiffs鈥� expert testified that the legislation was designed in close collaboration with anti-immigrant hate groups and concluded that SB 168 had both a discriminatory intent and impact, illustrating that the public safety rationale behind SB 168 was demonstrably false and primarily used to hide its discriminatory intent. In a 110-page decision, the trial court correctly ruled that key sections of SB 168 violate the equal protection clause, delivering a major blow to Florida鈥檚 anti-immigrant policy makers. The trial court found that Plaintiffs proved that SB 168 undermines public safety, increases racial profiling, and was designed in consultation of anti-immigrant hate groups.听
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About the Southern Poverty Law Center鈥�
The Southern Poverty Law Center鈥痠s a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements, and advance the human rights of all people.鈥疐or鈥痬ore information, visit鈥�.鈥�
听(AI Justice) is an award-winning non-profit law firm that fights for justice for immigrants through a combination of direct representation, impact litigation, advocacy and outreach. In Florida and on a national level, it champions the rights of unaccompanied immigrant children; advocates for survivors of trafficking and domestic violence; serves as a watchdog on immigration detention practices and policies; fights to keep families informed, empowered and together; and pursues redress on behalf of immigrant groups with particular and compelling claims to justice.
