Local Republicans in Sarasota are organizing a workshop on the impacts of illegal immigration. Sarasota County Democratic Party Chair Daniel Kuether condemned the workshop as a cruel tactic to vilify immigrants. The workshop is scheduled for June 21 at the Sarasota County Administrative Center and is open to the public.
SARASOTA—Taking their cue directly from Donald Trump's "Project 2025," local Republicans on the Sarasota County Commission have requested several large county organizations to participate in "a workshop on the impacts of illegal immigration in Sarasota County." Trump's Project 2025 inhumanly blames immigration for draining resources for local schools and hospitals.
A nearly identical tactic failed spectacularly a year ago when Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and the GOP-led Florida Legislature passed a law requiring hospitals to collect data on a patient's immigration status and submit quarterly reports to the state agency that administers Medicare.
DeSantis hoped for negative immigration data, but findings showed that uncompensated healthcare for undocumented immigrants in Florida was less than 1 percent of all admissions and did not strain the healthcare system. The report cost taxpayers half a million dollars. Florida is home to around 772,000 undocumented workers, making up 37 to 47 percent of the agricultural workforce.
"This 'workshop' hosted by the Sarasota County Commission is another cruel stunt by Republicans to disparage our immigrant friends, neighbors, and family members," said Daniel Kuether, Chair of the Sarasota County Democratic Party. "It is a clear indication that these 'moderate' Republicans on the County Commission are extreme through and through."
Invitations to attend the workshop, scheduled for June 21, 11 a.m., at the Sarasota County Administrative Center, were sent to the Sarasota County Sheriff, State Attorney, Sarasota Doctors Hospital, Florida Englewood Hospital, and the Sarasota County School Board.
The workshop is open to the public, and anyone offended by the latest attack on immigrants is encouraged to attend and voice their opposition. If you are unable to attend the workshop, your County Commissioners can be reached at the email addresses below.
- Mike Moran - mmoran@scgov.net
- Mark Smith - mhsmith@scgov.net
- Neil Rainford - nrainford@scgov.net
- Joe Neunder - jneunder@scgov.net
- Ron Cutsinger - rcutsinger@scgov.net
The Sarasota County Democratic Party (SCDP) is the local committee of the Florida Democratic Party. The mission of the SCDP is to encourage the fullest participation by all voters who believe in true freedom and fairness in our society. We stand up for justice, equality, and opportunity for our citizens and support qualified candidates who will promote these goals.
Learn more at www.sarasotadems.org. Contact Information: daniel.kuether@sarasotadems.org 941-330-9400
