A group from Central Florida has traveled to Tallahassee to advocate for immigrant rights, aiming to influence state lawmakers considering several bills targeting illegal immigration.Miguel Torres, a young man on the trip, expressed his fears about the impact of Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities.”Sometimes I can’t even sleep at night thinking that maybe, hopefully not, one day it’s the last day I see them,” he said.Torres, who was born in the U.S., joined more than 30 people who boarded a charter bus from the Hope Community Center in Apopka. Despite being a U.S. citizen, he worries about his loved ones amid aggressive immigration enforcement. “I have family members around the community which are scared right now to even go out, so I’m doing this for them,” Torres said.The group’s objective is to persuade state lawmakers to consider their perspective as they review a series of bills targeting illegal immigration. One proposed bill requires all employers to use E-Verify to check immigration status, while another imposes penalties on companies hiring undocumented immigrants, including revoking licenses and imposing a $10,000 fine. Additional bills could hold local governments liable if someone is killed by an unauthorized alien and ban colleges from accepting anyone in the U.S. illegally.Democrats have introduced their own bills, including one that bans ICE from wearing face coverings and another that would keep immigration enforcement out of schools and churches. Torres acknowledged that while some lawmakers may not change their stance, the group aims to reach those with open minds. “We’re just trying to get the senators to change their mind at least … It’s hard times, and we’re just trying to go out there and see what we can do,” he said.

APOPKA, Fla. —

A group from Central Florida has traveled to Tallahassee to advocate for immigrant rights, aiming to influence state lawmakers considering several bills targeting illegal immigration.

Miguel Torres, a young man on the trip, expressed his fears about the impact of Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities.

“Sometimes I can’t even sleep at night thinking that maybe, hopefully not, one day it’s the last day I see them,” he said.

Torres, who was born in the U.S., joined more than 30 people who boarded a charter bus from the Hope Community Center in Apopka.

Despite being a U.S. citizen, he worries about his loved ones amid aggressive immigration enforcement.

“I have family members around the community which are scared right now to even go out, so I’m doing this for them,” Torres said.

The group’s objective is to persuade state lawmakers to consider their perspective as they review a series of bills targeting illegal immigration.

One proposed bill requires all employers to use E-Verify to check immigration status, while another imposes penalties on companies hiring undocumented immigrants, including revoking licenses and imposing a $10,000 fine.

Additional bills could hold local governments liable if someone is killed by an unauthorized alien and ban colleges from accepting anyone in the U.S. illegally.

Democrats have introduced their own bills, including one that bans ICE from wearing face coverings and another that would keep immigration enforcement out of schools and churches.

Torres acknowledged that while some lawmakers may not change their stance, the group aims to reach those with open minds.

“We’re just trying to get the senators to change their mind at least … It’s hard times, and we’re just trying to go out there and see what we can do,” he said.