Activists in Tampa are working to collect signatures to try to create momentum to overturn a Florida state law that allows undocumented workers without a driver's license to be detained by law enforcement. Activists say a license would help undocumented citizens to legally drive to places such as work, school or a doctor's office.
Raices en Tampa(Roots in Tampa) is a community organization founded by a group of young activists, all of whom have been affected by these regulations. Most are working class citizens who use their free time voluntarily to fight for the undocumented community. Every Monday Raices en Tampa invites the community to sign a petition in front of El Rey de Oro, a Mexican eatery on Fletcher Avenue. Here, the group collects around 80 supporters every week.
Alicia Argenal, cofounder of Raices en Tampa, immigrated to Naples after Hurricane Mitch devastated Honduras in 1998. She came to the country on a temporary status and temporarily protected basis. This allows her permission to work and a social security number. Due to the temporary status, she must spend $54 to renew her driver's license every six months to a year. The status also requires her to pay $550 every year and a half for status renewal.
Marisol Marquez is another cofounder of Raices en Tampa. She believes that "everybody needs a driver's license especially in a city like Tampa where the public transportation system is very difficult."
In the state of Florida the law allows police officers to detain an undocumented worker that is driving without a license. If someone is pulled over three times, the person can be deported. Florida is one of the few states that can tag license plates, which gives law enforcement the ability to target a person driving without a license.
"We keep finding out that in this county people are being detained for not having a driver's license and charged for nothing. They are just fined and let go—- which is awful. In one case, we even heard of someone being given a paper to self-deport and he was like 'I'm not gonna sign that- it says deportation,'" said Marquez.
In addition to collecting signatures, the group is taking action by encouraging the city of Tampa to be involved in the process. Recently, they met with Tampa City Councilwoman Lisa Montelione, and will meet with soon meet with Frank Reddick, for support before the proposition is put on the table to be voted on.
"We are trying to have the county sheriff's office issue a resolution saying that they will no longer detain those who are undocumented without having a just cause to do so," said Marquez.
You can stay updated with the cause and hear the stories of the undocumented citizens at Wordpress. Follow them Facebook or Twitter @raicestampa.
If you know someone who is set to be deported or detained you can call 813-449-3500.