Defenders at Tallahassee share their thoughts about immigration policy – WFSU News

Protesters have recently been gathering outside the historic Capitol on Monroe Street. They are upset that Florida’s legislation creates an immigration policy to help the Trump administration. They also protest against the federal orders and the raids of immigration.

“The raids are nothing new,” says Talahasi Immigration Lawyer Elizabeth Ritchie, “But optics have changed.”

Ritchie has become an expert in Florida and often on a national scale in immigration. (Discovery: Her law firm is AA regular Anderrherr on WFSU.) She turned to these problems in our weekly program, Talking aboutS

“All reasonable people agree that our immigration system does not work and I understand that the state is disappointed with it. But the state has no authority to act on immigration, “Richie says.

The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) and the Department of Safety of Highways and Motor Vehicles in Florida have announced that they, along with internal security, are attacking last month in Talahasi and Jefferson County. The former participated dozen people who were detained for being claimed to have been illegal in the country. The last targeted suspected members of the Venezwell gang.

“The problem with FHP, which has an additional immigration body, is with all respect that they are not trained in this area,” Richie says. Part of the last round of legislation by state legislators includes over $ 300 million for the country to train and provide resources to support federal agents.

Richie says there is fear of immigrant families to split, but she says widespread deportation in the US would be logistically difficult and expensive – half a trillion dollar. “Even if we did, it will take years,” she says.

In the show this week we also hear from a local group working with refugees who quickly had to escape from their home countries. Talahasi has its share of refugees from countries such as Syria, Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Many of them receive help from non -profit non -profit purpose.

“There are about 9 major resettlement organizations here in the United States, one of which is the International Rescue Committee, IRC, here in Talahasi,” says neighboring operations Christine Barnet. Her husband James Barnet is the founder of a neighbor and CEO.

“The main way that neighborhood helps refugees is now through our monthly event called Jubliee Marketplace,” says Barnet. “This is a Saturday morning event where we invite refugee families and make it a fun event.” They distribute donated items that are highly needed, such as diapers, wipes and toiletries.

Barnet says the neighbor’s approach is to “look at the person for the problem. When you become friends with someone when it’s a real relationship, there is much more confidence. “

Hear more from Barnet and Richie by clicking on listening.