A Florida state lawmaker has proposed a bill that will clear the way for victims’ families to sue local governments for killings committed by illegal aliens, a measure that will also impose fines on law enforcement agencies that don’t enforce and comply with immigration law.
On Tuesday, Florida State Representative Berny Jacques of Seminole announced that he had filed the Shane Jones Act to “hold government accountable when they fail to enforce immigration law.”
Today I filed the Shane Jones Act to hold government accountable when they fail to enforce immigration law. pic.twitter.com/DxkSGIBk1H
— Berny Jacques (@BernyJacques) October 21, 2025
The bill’s namesake, a father of two and military veteran, was killed in a 2019 accident when a vehicle driven by a drunken illegal struck Shane Jones and another person who were driving their motorcycles in Hillsborough County.
A 21-year Air Force veteran who had recently retired, Jones was the father of two daughters who were orphaned by an illegal alien who never should have been in the country.
“For too long, American families have been left to pick up the pieces after their loved ones were taken from them by crimes that could have been prevented,” Nikki Jones, the victim’s widow, said in a press release.
“The Shane Jones Act represents a turning point — finally holding local governments accountable when they fail to enforce immigration laws,” she added.
Jacques’ bill proposes a structure for victims’ families to seek damages from local governments if an illegal immigrant is found to be responsible for their deaths.
HB 229 would also impose a $10,000 fine for any law enforcement agency that “fails to enforce and comply with current state immigration law, which requires that law enforcement agencies collaborate with federal immigration enforcement officers to facilitate the removal of illegal aliens from our state,” according to the press release.
The fine would go toward compensation for the grieving families of people who have been killed by illegal aliens.
“Additionally, HB 229 authorizes the fines collected to be allocated towards compensating victims of illegal migrant crime, as well as their families,” Jacques’ press release reads. “Furthermore, HB 229 would allow for victims to obtain a cause of action against local governments with sanctuary policies in violation of state immigration law, providing an additional revenue source for compensation for the victims of illegal migrant crime.”
“The Shane Jones Act represents a turning point – finally holding local governments accountable when they fail to enforce immigration laws,” Nikki Jones said. “This is about justice, accountability, and compassion for the victims and families who deserve to be heard. No American family should ever be left behind.”
“Florida stands against lawlessness,” Rep. Jacques said. “We will stand with law-abiding citizens first and ensure that those who break our laws are held accountable.”
(Video Credit: WFLA)
“His family and children can still talk to him,” Jones told WFLA, referring to the illegal alien who killed her husband. “And mine can’t.”
“Now it’s time to focus on the families, we got numerous laws out in our state, and now it’s time to focus on the families and the victims,” she added.
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