JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Protesters gathered Tuesday night after the Jacksonville City Council passed a controversial ordinance bill by a vote of 11-7.

The ordinance, proposed by Councilman Rory Diamond, aims to ban organizations from utilizing city funds to support services for immigrants without permanent legal status. Additionally, it mandates that the mayor’s office provide a comprehensive report on the city’s financial expenditures on these individuals. Mayor Donna Deegan has the option to veto the bill, sign it, or take no action, allowing the ordinance to become law by default.

Following the city council meeting, protesters assembled outside City Hall, tapping on the windows each time a council member who supported the bill passed by.

Councilmember Jimmy Peluso, who opposed the bill, spoke to the protesters outside, stating, “You did the right thing. You advocated for your neighbors, for your community, and for what is just. Now, let’s ensure that the rest of the council continues to hear you. Let’s see if we can amend this in the coming weeks. We still have the mayor to engage with—speak to the mayor.”

Earlier in the day, a rally organized by the Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance took place outside City Hall. 

One of the organizers, Maria Garcia, called the ordinance 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 said. “People can’t pay their rent, there are people sleeping on the streets.”

At the time, Diamond responded to the criticism, saying the ordinance is necessary to ensure taxpayer dollars are being used responsibly.

“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 said.

After the vote, he wrote on Twitter, saying: “Tonight the Council PASSED my bill 2025-138 that stops funding for illegals aliens in Jacksonville. 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.”