Univision's news division never misses an opportunity to remind us that a freely flowing border is essential to its preservation. On occasion, it'll even trot out its tried-and-true "anti-immigrant" smear.
On Tuesday's late night Edición Nocturna broadcast, anchor Ilia Calderón thus scare-framed a story about Florida's HB 675:
ILIA CALDERON, ANCHOR: An anti-immigrant bill is generating reaction and a lot of fear among the undocumented in Florida. HB 765 would allow firemen, public servants and even teachers to act as immigration agents.
Funny, but that language is found nowhere on the statute. The summary of the bill defines the statute as (emphases mine):
Federal Immigration Enforcement; Designates act "Rule of Law Adherence Act"; requiring state entities, local governmental entities, and law enforcement agencies to comply with and support the enforcement of federal immigration law; prohibiting restrictions by such entities and agencies on taking certain actions with respect to information regarding a person's immigration status; authorizing a law enforcement agency to transport an unauthorized alien under certain circumstances; requiring recordkeeping relating to crime victim and witness cooperation in certain investigations; authorizing local governmental entities and law enforcement agencies to petition the Federal Government for reimbursement of certain costs; requiring the Attorney General to prescribe the format for submitting complaints, etc.
The bill, which passed the Florida House by an 80-38 vote, seeks to end the sort of sanctuary city practices that led to the awful death of Kate Steinle in San Francisco. There are currently multiple jurisdictions within Florida with sanctuary policies, and the ending of such policies is certainly within the purview of the state Legislature.
The story, as expected, was heavy on protester marching, talk of broken families, and amnesty advocate perspectives. Missing, of course, were the perspectives of those who support the notion that the rule of law should apply to all - or of the loved ones of those harmed by sanctuary city policies.
It's easier to just smear those who oppose the network's institutional agenda as "anti-immigrant" in lieu of actual debate.
