Florida lawmakers want to make the death penalty mandatory for immigrants in the country illegally who are convicted of capital crimes, a change that would remove the jury from the process and would challenge existing constitutional precedent.

TALLAHASSEE - Undocumented immigrants convicted of first-degree murder or raping children would face mandatory death sentences under bills advanced Wednesday by key House and Senate committees. The proposals are part of a broader package of measures lawmakers are expected to vote on Thursday during a special legislative session aimed at strengthening immigration enforcement.

The initiative is part of a broader immigration package resulting from an agreement between state GOP lawmakers and Gov. Ron DeSantis