Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) is urging President Donald Trump to establish an expedited legal pathway for Jewish Canadians to obtain refugee status in the United States amid rising antisemitism in Canada. 

In a letter to the president on Tuesday, Scott encouraged Trump to set up a refugee program for Canadian Jews to legally seek refuge from religious persecution in their home country. The Florida senator noted that Trump recently amplified a report on Christian leaders urging him to create a legal pathway for Jews in Canada to come to the U.S., and vowed to support the president if he pursued the idea. 

“The Jewish community throughout Canada is experiencing a rapid increase in threats, harassment, and violence. A significant number of these intolerable instances occur in places of worship, schools, and Jewish-owned small businesses,” Scott wrote in the letter, obtained by Jewish Insider. 

“As a result of this proliferation of antisemitism, you expressed consideration for an expedited legal pathway for the Canadian Jewish community to find refuge in our great nation,” he continued. “Should you pursue this effort, please know that I stand behind this noble decision.”

Scott predicted that Florida, which is home to some of the largest Jewish communities in the U.S., would embrace Canadian Jews who relocate to the state in search of a more welcoming environment. 

“If those in the Canadian Jewish community wish to lawfully come to the United States, Florida will happily welcome them to our proud and thriving state,” Scott wrote. “Unlike other neighboring nations and states, Florida will defend the Jewish community from antisemitism and provide our friends with new opportunities to prosper and live their American Dream.”

“Florida will continue to stand at the ready to assist your administration’s efforts in protecting the Jewish community abroad and at home,” he added.

The White House did not respond to JI’s request for comment on the letter or if the president was considering such a move, which would run counter to the Trump administration’s hardline immigration approach aimed at restricting legal and illegal immigration.

Last Monday, Trump shared a report from Just the News highlighting a letter to him from the National Association of Christian Lawmakers, in which the group called on him to direct the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security to develop “lawful, secure, and appropriately expedited pathways” for Jewish Canadian nationals and their immediate family members to seek refuge in the U.S. as Canada’s Jewish community faces increased threats. 

In July, Oklahoma GOP Gov. Kevin Stitt sent Trump a letter vowing to welcome to his home state Jewish Canadian families who legally come to the U.S. while fleeing antisemitism. 

“Should Jewish families lawfully come to the United States in search of safety and opportunity, I want you to know that Oklahoma would proudly welcome those who choose to make our state their home,” Stitt wrote to Trump at the time. 

Stitt wrote that Oklahoma had been “blessed with a strong and vibrant Jewish community, especially in Tulsa, that has contributed to our state’s success since before statehood and stands ready to welcome new neighbors. I know those traditions of faith, family, entrepreneurship and civic engagement would continue to flourish here.” 

“You shouldn’t live in fear because of your faith. In Oklahoma, you can practice freely without fear of violence,” Stitt said in a post on X highlighting his letter to Trump late last month.