TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - By a vote of seven to five, the House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee approved a proposal Monday that would increase penalties for undocumented immigrants who commit types of violent crimes.
Under the legislation, crimes such as sexual battery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, armed burglary and murder would all be reclassified to a higher degree penalty, when committed by someone illegally in the country.
For example, a first degree misdemeanor would be bumped up to a third degree felony, while a crime that is typically a third degree felony would become a second degree felony, and so on.
Opponents of the measure say the bill is likely unconstitutional, since it treats people differently for committing the same crime.
Eagle says his goal is to protect the safety of american citizens.
The legislation still has one more committee stop in the house before it is ready for a vote by the full chamber.
An identical bill in the Senate also has to be heard by another committee, having already passed two.
