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Ambler wants special session to include “Arizona-style immigration law”

Posted Jul 9, 2010 by William March

Updated Jul 9, 2010 at 03:11 PM

State Rep. Kevin Ambler, R-Tampa, who’s running for state Senate, says he’ll introduce a measure to expand the Legislature’s special session, intended to deal with oil drilling, to include consideration of an “Arizona-style immigration law.”

Ambler said today he’ll announce and introduce the measure Monday.

He said the law he wants the Legislature to consider would allow Florida law officers who stop someone for legitimate reasons unrelated to immigration to question those individuals about their immigration status. “That’s my understanding of how the amended Arizona law works,” he said.

Since Arizona passed the controversial law, it has become a subject of debate in Florida, particularly among candidates for U.S. Senate and governor in the November election. Other lawmakers have suggested taking up such a measure in next year’s regular session. It’s highly popular among “tea-party” style conservatives, but sharply criticized by some Hispanics and Democrats; even some conservative Republicans are dubious about it—chiefly those who are Hispanic or have large Hispanic constituencies.

Crist called July 20-23 special session Thursday, saying in his proclamation it was “for the sole purpose” of considering a constitutional amendment, to go on the Nov. 2 ballot, to prohibit oil drilling in Florida waters. 

The Legislature, however, could expand the purpose of the session if it wished.

Ambler faces a term limit on his state House seat, and is in a tough GOP primary against County Commissioner Jim Norman for a state Senate seat.