The Biden administration’s open border policies created a giant mess for Donald Trump to fix.
Local communities are fighting back against the chaos.
And one Jacksonville councilman delivered a crushing blow to illegal immigration that has the Left in a complete meltdown.
Jacksonville City Council takes a stand against illegal immigration
The Jacksonville City Council passed a groundbreaking immigration ordinance Tuesday night that prohibits organizations from using city money to support services for illegal aliens and mandates detailed reporting on how much taxpayer money is spent on them.
The measure passed by an 11-7 vote despite fierce opposition from left-wing activists who packed City Hall.
Councilman Rory Diamond, who sponsored the ordinance, didn’t back down from the heated rhetoric thrown his way.
He made it clear this was about following the rule of law in the face of Biden’s border crisis.
"I didn’t want to write this bill. No one wanted to have to write this bill or to debate it, or have to deal with people calling us terrible things, but we were required to do it because we have to make a choice," Diamond stated.
The councilman framed the issue in stark terms that resonated with residents tired of watching their tax dollars fund services for people who entered the country illegally.
"Are we a nation of laws, or are we a nation of anarchy? Are we Jacksonville, or are we Los Angeles? Are we Florida? Are we California?" Diamond asked.
"Are we going to be a place that says that we are going to follow the rule of law? Are we going to be a sanctuary city? That is the purpose of this bill," he added.
The ordinance prohibits organizations from using city money to support services for aliens without permanent legal status.
It also requires the mayor’s office to provide detailed reports on how much taxpayer money the city spends on them.
The Left’s predictable meltdown over accountability
The vote sparked immediate outrage from left-wing activists who couldn’t stand the idea of basic accountability for tax dollars.
After the meeting ended, protesters gathered outside City Hall and demonstrated their displeasure by banging on windows whenever council members who supported the bill walked past.
The Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance organized rallies against the measure, with organizer Maria Garcia calling it a "political stunt."
"It’s not right, it’s political games, it’s political theater, and it has nothing to do with our very real problems," Garcia complained.
But Diamond fired back at critics who wanted to continue the status quo of unlimited benefits for illegal aliens.
"What’s harmful is lying to people, telling them to come to America and get free services and there will be no repercussions if you break our laws," Diamond responded.
The councilman also revealed that the city doesn’t even know how many illegal aliens are currently using city services.
That’s exactly the kind of lack of oversight that taxpayers are fed up with.
Council members split along predictable lines
The vote breakdown showed the stark divide between those who support the rule of law and those who want to continue Biden’s open border policies at the local level.
Supporting the accountability measure were eleven Republicans: Randy White, Kevin Carrico, Raul Arias, Joe Carlucci, Rory Diamond, Terrance Freeman, Nick Howland, Mike Gay, Will Lahnen, Chris Miller, and Ron Salem.
Seven council members voted against the measure: Ken Amaro, Michael Boylan, Matt Carlucci, Tyrona Clark-Murray, Reggie Gaffney Jr., Rahman Johnson, and Jimmy Peluso.
Peluso tried to use fear-mongering tactics to oppose the bill, claiming it would make people "afraid" to call police or fire departments.
"I’m concerned that this will create fear," Peluso said. "It will create fear among people that are just trying to get services, again services that they help pay for."
But Peluso’s argument fell flat because the bill specifically included amendments to protect victims of domestic violence and pregnant women.
His real concern seemed to be that the gravy train of unlimited taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal aliens might finally come to an end.
Diamond celebrates victory for the rule of law
After the vote, Diamond took to social media to celebrate the victory for Jacksonville taxpayers.
"Tonight the Council PASSED my bill 2025-138 that stops funding for illegals aliens in Jacksonville,” he wrote. “Tonight we stood for the rule of law. To night we said we aren’t Los Angeles. Tonight we said with conviction that Jacksonville will never be a sanctuary city."
The measure now heads to Mayor Donna Deegan’s desk.
She can sign the bill, veto it, or do nothing and let it become law automatically.
Given the overwhelming public support for accountability in taxpayer spending, the mayor will face intense pressure to sign the measure.
A blueprint for communities across America
Jacksonville’s bold move could serve as a model for other communities tired of subsidizing Biden’s border crisis.
For too long, local governments were forced to shoulder the financial burden of the federal government’s failure to secure the border.
Cities and counties across America are struggling with housing shortages, strained social services, and budget deficits.
Meanwhile, they’re expected to provide unlimited services to people who entered the country illegally.
Jacksonville’s ordinance represents a common-sense approach to ensuring taxpayer dollars are used responsibly.
The measure doesn’t prevent anyone from receiving emergency services.
It simply requires transparency about how much money is being spent and prohibits the use of city funds for non-emergency services to illegal aliens.
That’s exactly the kind of accountability that voters demanded when they elected Donald Trump to clean up the mess left by the Biden administration.
Local officials who supported this measure showed real courage in the face of organized opposition from left-wing activists.
They put the interests of their constituents ahead of political correctness.
Other communities should take note and follow Jacksonville’s lead in standing up for taxpayers and the rule of law.
The era of unlimited benefits for illegal aliens funded by hardworking Americans is coming to an end.
And Jacksonville just fired the first shot in what could be a nationwide movement to restore sanity to immigration policy at the local level.
