On May 22, 2025, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 915, a bill prohibiting Florida notaries public from advertising immigration legal services or using the term “notario público,” which in some Latin countries implies legal representation. The law aims to curb fraudulent practices by notaries unlawfully providing immigration advice amid increased immigration enforcement in Florida. The bill allows victims to recover damages via civil lawsuits. Florida Immigrant Coalition praised the law, noting its importance as many vulnerable immigrants, including Venezuelans facing deportation after a recent Supreme Court ruling, are exploited by unqualified notaries. The bill passed with broad legislative support despite the state’s tough immigration stance.
Amid ongoing raids in Florida immigrant communities, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signed a bill Thursday creating an avenue for relief against people unlawfully providing immigration legal services.
HB 915, one of 17 bills DeSantis signed Thursday, prohibits notaries public from advertising their services using language that implies they possess professional legal skills in immigration law. Notaries public are authorized to serve as witnesses and verify signatures on documents such as powers of attorney, deeds, and estates.
Thomas Kennedy, a policy analyst with Florida Immigrant Coalition, said in a phone interview that the group sought help from lawmakers in addressing the problem of notaries public providing immigration legal services, which he described as an epidemic in Central and South Florida. He called the signing of the new law good news.
“This is happening all over the place. People are very, very desperate for some sort of solution or adjustment of status that leaves them vulnerable for people that are preying on them,” Kennedy said, pointing to the hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans in Florida at risk of deportation after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling earlier this week allowing the Trump administration to strip the immigrants of temporary protections and work permits.
A series of special sessions at the beginning of the year yielded hundreds of millions for local law enforcement to engage in immigration enforcement, plus new laws heightening penalties for immigrants living in the country without authorization. However, during the regular legislative session, lawmakers didn’t pass other proposals cracking down on legal aid for immigrant children and companies hiring people unauthorized to work in the country.
But nearly all lawmakers agreed to pass the bill from Orlando Democratic Rep. Johanna López, allowing people to recover damages in civil lawsuits from notaries public providing representation in immigration law matters.
Further, notaries public won’t be able to refer to themselves as “notario público,” the term in Spanish, because in some Latin American countries “notarios” can file legal documents, give legal advice, and represent people in court, according to the final legislative analysis of the bill.
Still, Kennedy said passing a pro-immigrant law in this climate was no easy feat.
“I guess common sense prevailed in this matter,” he said.
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Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Michael Moline for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com.
Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.
Political Bias Rating: Center-Left
This content presents a generally supportive view of efforts to protect immigrant communities from fraudulent legal representation, highlighting a bill signed by a conservative governor but emphasizing pro-immigrant perspectives. It gives voice to immigrant advocacy groups and underscores the challenges faced by immigrants, suggesting a sympathetic stance toward immigrant rights while maintaining factual coverage of legislative actions. This approach aligns with a center-left position that favors immigrant protections and legal accountability without strongly criticizing the governor’s broader policies.
SUMMARY: Utah faces a court-ordered redistricting ahead of the 2026 midterms after a judge ruled the current Republican-drawn map unlawful for bypassing an independent commission established by voters to prevent gerrymandering. The 2018 voter-approved commission was weakened by the Legislature in 2020, leading to a contested map that splits Democratic-leaning Salt Lake County across districts, diluting its influence. The new map could create a competitive seat for Democrats, challenging the GOP’s slim House majority. Lawmakers must redraw compliant districts by September 24, with appeals possible. This redistricting battle reflects a broader national GOP effort to gain House seats mid-decade.
SUMMARY: Former special counsel Jack Smith’s lawyers have condemned a watchdog investigation into his prosecutions of Donald Trump as “imaginary and unfounded.” The probe, launched by the Office of Special Counsel following Republican Sen. Tom Cotton’s request, examines whether Smith violated the Hatch Act by engaging in political activity during Trump investigations. Smith’s attorneys argue the investigation lacks merit, emphasizing his prosecutorial decisions were evidence-based and impartial, uninfluenced by the upcoming 2024 election. Smith, appointed under the Biden administration, indicted Trump in 2023 for election interference and classified documents but dropped charges after the 2022 midterms, adhering to Justice Department policy.
www.thecentersquare.com – By Alan Wooten | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-08-25 14:47:00
State Sen. Joe Gruters of Florida has been elected chairman of the Republican National Committee, succeeding Michael Whatley, a 2026 Senate candidate from North Carolina. Both appointments were influenced by former President Donald Trump. Gruters, 48, an accountant and current state senator, won the post unopposed and emphasized the party’s alignment with Trump’s vision, aiming for a strong 2026 midterm showing. Trump praised Gruters for his role in significant Florida Republican victories since 2016. Gruters’ political career includes serving in the Florida House (2016-18) and Senate (since 2018). He remains in his Senate seat unless running for state CFO in 2026.
(The Center Square) – State Sen. Joe Gruters of Florida has been elected chairman of the Republican National Committee.
He succeeds Michael Whatley, the North Carolinian running for a U.S. Senate seat in 2026. Both were tapped by Donald Trump, Whatley as the 2024 presidential cycle heated up and Gruters in Atlanta on Friday as Trump’s wingman for the party in the 2026 midterms.
Gruters, 48, is an accountant by trade. He is not required to resign his state Senate post; in the “resign-to-run” state law, he would need to if still planning to run for state chief financial officer in 2026.
That post was given to state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia on July 16 by second-term Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. Jimmy Patronis resigned the position and Ingoglia serves until the 2026 midterms.
Trump, a Palm Beach resident when not at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., had encouraged DeSantis to choose Gruters for CFO.
In a network broadcast interview after elected, Gruters said, “This is the president’s party. This is the president’s vision, overall. The party fully embraces the president. We’re going to ride the president all the way to victory in the midterms, and we are going to win big.”
Whatley called his time as chairman “the honor of a lifetime.”
“I am immensely proud of the work we accomplished, and I am excited to pass the torch on to Chairman Gruters,” he said. “Now, it’s time to get to work and fight for the people of North Carolina.”
Gruters had no opposition for election. On social media, Trump called Whatley “incredible” and again pledged his support for the senatorial campaign.
“As state senator and chairman of the Republican Party of Florida,” Trump said of Gruters, “Joe helped us deliver massive and historic victories across the state, including my big six wins, including primaries, in 2016, 2020 and 2024, and has helped us turn Florida red as red can be!”
The connection between Gruters and Trump dates more than a decade. History traces it in earnest to a Sarasota County Statesman of the Year dinner in 2012. He followed with support in 2015 while Marco Rubio, now secretary of state in the Trump administration, and Gov. Jeb Bush were presidential candidates.
Gruters is a former member (2016-18) of the state House of Representatives. He has served in the state Senate since 2018.
Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.
Political Bias Rating: Center-Right
The article primarily reports on the election of Joe Gruters as chairman of the Republican National Committee, detailing his background, connections to Donald Trump, and statements made by involved parties. The tone is factual and descriptive, focusing on events and quotes without overtly endorsing or criticizing the subjects. However, the content centers on Republican figures and includes positive language from Trump and associates, which may reflect a slight center-right perspective due to the subject matter and source. Overall, it adheres mostly to neutral reporting by presenting information and direct quotes rather than promoting a particular ideological viewpoint.
