State Rep. Ambler files immigration bills for special session

A Republican state representative has filed three immigration bills amid Florida’s brewing debate about which issues should be heard during next week’s special session. Gov. Charlie Crist. Crist called the special session for legislators to debate a ban on offshore drilling in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon spill.

Rep. Kevin Ambler, R-Tampa, has proposed legislation modeled after Arizona’s controversial S.B.1070 — which allows local law enforcement to investigate citizen’s immigration during criminal and traffic stops. The law also allows law enforcement to take citizens into custody if they cannot show proof of citizenship.

Ambler proposed immigration legislation during the special session before plans announced by Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, to introduce legislation based on the Arizona law during the session next spring. Ambler also filed two other immigration bills for the special session, dealing with eligibility for public benefits and employment with the state.

Ambler is a candidate for the District 12 state Senate seat. He faces Hillsborough County Commissioner Jim Norman in the Republican primary.