Seven Florida House Democrats rejected legislation that would deport illegal immigrants charged with sex crimes. Florida Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D) stood as the lone Democrat to vote in favor of it.
Florida Reps. Darren Soto (D), Maxwell Frost (D), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D), Lois Frankel (D), Frederica Wilson (D), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D), all voted against the Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act.
The bill passed after 215 present Republicans voted in favor of the bill, and 51 House Democrats also supported the effort. However, a total of 158 Democrats voted to reject the bill.
"I voted for it," said Rep. Moskowitz in a statement to The Floridian.
These @FlaDems are putting criminal illegal aliens who have committed sex crimes over the safety of Floridians.
• Kathy Castor
• Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick
• Lois Frankel
• Maxwell Frost
• Darren Soto
• Frederica Wilson
• Debbie Wasserman Schultzhttps://t.co/pgapaV2Ara— Florida GOP (@FloridaGOP) January 6, 2025
In a statement, Republican Party of Florida Chairman Evan Power (R) criticized the Florida Democrats who voted against the bill, commenting that "these irresponsible, if not crazy, Florida Democrats are more interested in protecting illegal aliens who are criminal sex offenders than protecting Floridians." "We will make sure voters remember this vote."
Aside from deporting illegal immigrants who are convicted of sex crimes, the bill ensures that illegal immigrants who admit to or are convicted of domestic violence or sex-related charges are ineligible to remain in the United States.
Elon Musk, who will Co-Chair the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), took to social media to comment on the vote, criticizing the Democrats who voted against the legislation.
"These awful people all need to be voted out, either in the primaries or the general election," Musk wrote on X. "They sully the Capitol Building with their presence."
Illegal immigration has been at the forefront of the political conversation as of late, and President-elect Donald Trump's (R) "Border Czar" Tom Homan is prepared to carry out mass deportations that will target illegal immigrants who are criminals.
South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace (R) introduced the bill, which Congress voted for in September 2024. Renewed interest surfaced online after President-elect Trump's 2024 election victory was certified.
