By Kathleen Haughney The News Service of Florida The first crack at an Arizona-style immigration overhaul has been filed in the Florida Senate, with a proposal that would let law enforcement officers ask suspected illegal aliens to prove their immigration status and could penalize some legal immigrants who arent carrying proper documentation. The bill, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Bennett (R-Bradenton), is the first volley in a likely long and heated debate over the future of immigration policy in the state. Since the passage of the Arizona law last spring, many Florida Republicans, including Gov.-elect Rick Scott, have argued that Florida needs a similar law and campaigned on the issue throughout the summer and into the fall. Any time you file a bill, its basically opening up for dialogue, opening up for discussion, opening up for debate, said … [Read more...]