ORLANDO, Fla. — In light of new state and federal immigration laws and policies, officials in Central Florida are looking to keep their communities informed of their rights.

That’s why Florida District 44 Rep. Rita Harris held an immigration policy roundtable Thursday with religious and community leaders.

What You Need To Know

  • Florida District 44 Rep. Rita Harris held an immigration policy roundtable Thursday with religious and community leaders

  • Florida's 287(g) Task Force gives local law enforcement the ability to enforce immigration violations and allows U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to train, certify, and authorize them to serve and execute warrants in their jails

  • The roundtable included a presentation from the Florida Immigration Coalition that included do’s and don’ts when approached by law enforcement, encouraged people to carry multiple forms of identification and advised them to have an emergency plan

Gathered in a small room at First Baptist Church in Orlando Thursdasy was a group whose members said they were looking to ease nerves.

Harris called on community advocates and religious leaders to share valuable information regarding the state’s new sweeping immigration laws.

“I want people to understand what the laws are, or what they can and cannot do," Harris said.

Florida will now have all 67 counties participate in the 287(g) Task Force, which gives local law enforcement the ability to enforce immigration violations and allows U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to train, certify, and authorize them to serve and execute warrants in their jails.

That’s why Thursday's roundtable included a presentation from the Florida Immigration Coalition.

“Prepare for all the communities all the information that they need, so if something happens with the new administration they have all this information and all of these tools to protect your rights," said Florida Immigration Coalition's Andres Zambrarano.

The presentation included "do’s and don’ts" for people when they are approached by law enforcement, encouraged people to carry multiple forms of identification and advised them to have an emergency plan.

It's a new reality that has many people nervous.

But the leaders and officials present said they believed that with meetings and gatherings like Thursday's, they can continue to work with their communities to keep them informed and safe.

“Sometimes, to know that you’re not alone and that you have people that are aware of you and want to help you, is sometimes enough to feel that you’ll be alright," said Orlando Consulate of Mexico Technical Secretary Alberto Ponce.

Harris said there will be more roundtables in the future. Local officials and groups like the Consulate of Mexico plan on continuing to do what they can to help as many people as possible across the state.

Orlando's Consulate of Mexico is inviting people to a Week of External Legal Consultations from March 3-7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to ensure people know their rights and to provide free legal assistance to migrants.