Florida state Rep. Hillary Cassel of Broward is promoting a bill that would ban the enforcement of what she calls foreign laws in the state, including sharia law. In a podcast interview, she said immigrants who come to the United States should “assimilate and become American,” adding that those who do not want to do so should “go to other places.” Cassel also described the upcoming legislative debate over her proposal as something she expects to be “fun.”

She told the host that her No Sharia Act is meant to ensure the US and Florida constitutions remain the top legal authorities. House Bill 119 is currently her only filed measure for the 2026 session, and she said it carries a “noble purpose.” The full podcast episode is set to be released Monday.

The remarks have sparked pushback from some Florida Democrats. Former state Rep. Rick Stark, who once represented Broward and now lives in Palm Beach County, said the bill and Cassel’s comments were wrong.