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Immigrant Rights Activists Ask Scott, Rubio To Push For Different Approach To Reform

A group of activists and representatives from various organizations gathered at the steps of the Historic Capitol Tuesday to petition Florida's Congressional representatives to push for immigration policy reform.
Ryan Dailey
/
WFSU-FM
A group of activists and representatives from various organizations gathered at the steps of the Historic Capitol Tuesday to petition Florida's Congressional representatives to push for immigration policy reform.
A group of activists and representatives from various organizations gathered at the steps of the Historic Capitol Tuesday to petition Florida's Congressional representatives to push for immigration policy reform.
Credit Ryan Dailey / WFSU-FM
/
WFSU-FM
A group of activists and representatives from various organizations gathered at the steps of the Historic Capitol Tuesday to petition Florida's Congressional representatives to push for immigration policy reform.

Immigrant rights activists are calling for Florida politicians to push a new approach to immigration reform. The group held a press conference on the steps of the Historic Florida Capitol Tuesday.

Karen Woodall, executive director of the Florida People’s Advocacy Center, petitioned the state’s Congressional representatives. Woodall asked Republican U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and incoming Rick Scott to help stop what she calls “inhumane” treatment of immigrants at the border.

“Instead, put our resources and their heads together to work with the countries in Central America that are experiencing the problems that are causing their people, their communities to seek refuge in Mexico and in the U.S.,” Woodall said.

Attorney Elizabeth Ricci spoke at a recent "Immigrant Justice" press conference on the steps of the Historic Florida Capitol.
Credit Ryan Dailey / WFSU-FM
/
WFSU-FM
Attorney Elizabeth Ricci spoke at a recent "Immigrant Justice" press conference on the steps of the Historic Florida Capitol.

Elizabeth Ricci, a Tallahassee-based immigration attorney, says demand for illegal drugs is a driver of the problem.

“Unless, or until, the demand for illegal drugs in this country is curbed, however, we will continue to see men, women and children detained, separated and deported,” Ricci said.

The rally is in response to the recent death of a seven-year-old Guatemalan girl who died of dehydration, after being arrested north of the U.S.-Mexico border.

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Ryan Dailey is a reporter/producer for WFSU/Florida Public Radio. After graduating from Florida State University, Ryan went into print journalism working for the Tallahassee Democrat for five years. At the Democrat, he worked as a copy editor, general assignment and K-12 education reporter.