When government fails to do its job, real people suffer. That truth is at the heart of a powerful new proposal out of Florida. State Representative Berny Jacques has introduced a bill called the Shane Jones Act. It’s named after an Air Force veteran, a father of four, who was killed by an illegal immigrant in 2019. The man who caused the crash had been stopped by police three times before but was never reported to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
That is not just a sad story. It is a failure of government to follow the law. In a nation built on the rule of law, that cannot be allowed.
The Shane Jones Act would allow families who lose loved ones to crimes committed by illegal immigrants to sue the government agencies that failed to enforce immigration law. If a sheriff or police department ignores ICE and lets a known illegal immigrant go free, and that person commits a crime, the family of the victim can bring a lawsuit. The bill also includes a $10,000 fine for any agency that refuses to work with ICE.
This is not just about punishment. It’s about justice. It’s about making sure that no widow, no child, no grieving parent is left to suffer alone after a crime that could have been stopped.
The Constitution gives the federal government the power to control immigration. But when local governments ignore that power or refuse to cooperate, they are breaking the law. In Florida, leaders like Rep. Jacques are saying, “No more.” Florida is not a sanctuary state, and it never should be.
Sadly, too many cities and counties across America have become sanctuary zones where immigration laws are ignored. That puts everyone at risk. If someone breaks the law by entering this country illegally and then continues to break other laws, they should not be protected by local officials. They should be removed from the country, as the law requires.
Nikki Jones, the widow of Shane Jones, spoke out in support of the bill. She said her husband’s death was “100% preventable.” She now lives in fear of losing her home, raising her daughters alone, with no one held accountable for the tragedy. Her story is heartbreaking, but it is not uncommon. Across the country, families are suffering because government officials refuse to do their duty.
The Shane Jones Act is one way to fix that. It gives victims a voice. It gives families a path to justice. And it sends a message to law enforcement and government agencies: you must follow the law, or there will be consequences.
This is a basic principle of our republic. Government exists to protect our rights and keep us safe. When it fails in that duty, the people must have a way to hold it accountable. That is the American way.
Some may say this bill goes too far. But what about the families who have lost everything? What about the lives that could have been saved if just one official had picked up the phone and called ICE?
This bill is not anti-immigrant. It is pro-law, pro-safety, and pro-American. Legal immigrants who follow the rules are welcome in this country. But illegal immigration brings danger, and when officials hide behind politics instead of enforcing the law, innocent people pay the price.
Florida is leading the way on this issue, and the rest of the country should take notice. The Shane Jones Act is a step toward restoring the rule of law and protecting American families. It’s time we stood up for justice, for safety, and for the Constitution. Let’s hope more states follow Florida’s lead.
