Florida’s controversial rule SB 1718, which, among other things, penalizes companies that hire undocumented immigrants, hospitals, and people who collaborate with immigrants, has caused thousands of undocumented immigrants to move to other states, fearful of possible deportation. in the midst of an internal exodus from the United States.
The call requires the Florida company of more than 25 employees to use a program to verify the immigration status of each of its foreign employees. In addition to that, it can be punished with fines and the withdrawal of permits to operate, among other draconian and “un-American” measures.
At the age of 42 and after 15 years working in Florida to support his family, Honduran Edwin Franco, a heavy equipment operator, has had to face the dilemma of moving to another state or facing the risk of being deported, like many others. thousands of undocumented immigrants in Florida.
“It will be time to get in a car and find another state where, well, they appreciate the work we do (…) The company I worked for was a company that transported garbage to the burners,” he told EFE.
According to the September 15 Foundation, 35% of Hondurans who worked without papers in Florida have already moved to other states, such as Georgia and North Carolina, including a group of qualified construction workers. Therefore, the new law has thousands of Florida immigrants at a crossroads.
SB 1718 threatens almost 400,000 undocumented immigrants who work in six important sectors in Florida, which represents almost 10% of the state’s labor force.
Florida’s new immigration measures will directly affect work for undocumented people, their children’s schooling, and their access to the public health system. This position has put DeSantis in the eye of the hurricane, since they have questioned her position for being considered little humanitarian and anti-immigration.
In March, the Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC) assured that during the administration of the governor of the state of Florida, Ron DeSantis, immigrants have been used as a tool for political use. In addition, the organization denounces that DeSantis’ position regarding the migratory flow has been characterized by favoring hatred and discrimination towards foreigners who arrive in the South state.
With information from EFE
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