Fact Check: Florida's Senate Bill 4C Makes Re-entering the State a Felony for Undocumented Migrants
What We Know
Florida's Senate Bill 4C, introduced in 2025, aims to impose criminal penalties on undocumented migrants who attempt to enter the state after being denied admission, excluded, or deported from the United States. Specifically, the bill outlines that an unauthorized alien who knowingly enters or attempts to enter Florida under these circumstances commits a first-degree misdemeanor, with subsequent violations escalating to a third-degree felony, which carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of one year and one day for repeat offenders (Senate Bill 4C, BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT, 2025C Bill Summaries).
The bill's provisions are designed to align with existing federal laws regarding illegal entry and re-entry, reinforcing the state's stance on immigration enforcement (BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT).
Analysis
The claim that Florida's Senate Bill 4C makes re-entering the state a felony for undocumented migrants is substantiated by the text of the bill itself, which clearly states the criminalization of such actions. The bill specifies that unauthorized aliens who re-enter the state after being deported or denied entry will face enhanced penalties, including felony charges for repeat offenses (Senate Bill 4C, 2025C Bill Summaries).
Critically, the sources referenced are official legislative documents and analyses, which provide a reliable foundation for understanding the bill's implications. The bill's language is explicit in defining the criminal penalties associated with unauthorized entry, thus supporting the claim's accuracy.
However, it is important to note that the bill has faced significant legal challenges and public scrutiny. For instance, the U.S. Supreme Court recently denied Florida's request to enforce this law, indicating ongoing debates about its constitutionality and potential implications for immigrant rights (ACLU, Fox News). This legal context underscores the contentious nature of immigration laws in Florida and their enforcement.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that Florida's Senate Bill 4C makes re-entering the state a felony for undocumented migrants is accurate. The bill explicitly establishes criminal penalties for unauthorized aliens attempting to enter Florida after prior deportation or exclusion, categorizing such actions as felonies for repeat offenders. The legislative text and analyses confirm this assertion, despite ongoing legal challenges to the bill's enforcement.
