THE IMPACT OF FLORIDA’S NEW IMMIGRATION LAW ON BUSINESSSES AND WORKERS
Florida’s impact on the new immigration law mounts pressure as businesses and workers express concerns over the state’s new immigration law. Governor Ron DeSantis’ Senate Bill 1718, set to take effect on July 1, aims to implement stringent changes to immigration policies. While supporters argue that the law will help control immigration and create more job opportunities for lawful citizens, critics fear its negative impact on the state’s economy. This article delves into the key provisions of the law and explores their potential implications.
E-Verify Requirements
What the Law Says
Under SB 1718, private employers in Florida with 25 or more employees are required to use E-Verify, an online federal database, to confirm the eligibility of new hires to work in the United States.
Potential Impacts
The implementation of E-Verify has raised concerns among business advocates across the state. Industries such as agriculture, construction, and hospitality heavily rely on immigrant workers, and limiting their employment opportunities could have significant economic consequences. Samuel Vilchez Santiago, the Florida director of the American Business Immigration Coalition, warns that prohibiting businesses from utilizing immigrant workers could negatively impact the economy and job creation.
The Florida Policy Institute predicts that without undocumented workers, labor-intensive industries in the state could lose 10% of their workforce, resulting in a potential $12.6 billion decrease in Florida’s GDP in a single year. This reduction in spending power could further diminish state and local tax revenue.
Social media videos depicting vacant construction sites and rotting crops suggest that some workers are already leaving their jobs due to the E-Verify requirements. The fear and uncertainty surrounding the law’s impact on employment have prompted many families to seek clarification and legal advice.
Enforcing the Hiring Rule
What the Law Says
Florida’s Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) will be responsible for enforcing the E-Verify requirement. Governor DeSantis has emphasized the imposition of harsh penalties for employers who fail to comply, including fines of $1,000 per day. Using false identification to secure employment will be considered a felony.
Potential Impacts
While the penalties seem severe, a closer examination of the legislation reveals that they only apply after an employer has failed to use E-Verify three or more times within a two-year period. Additionally, the DEO lacks a robust enforcement section, and the creation of new positions to oversee the provisions would result in significant costs.
Similar E-Verify mandates in other states, such as Arkansas and Arizona, have been widely ignored. The CATO Institute, a libertarian think tank, found that these requirements did not significantly decrease the employment of unauthorized workers or deter unlawful immigration. Undocumented individuals often work off the books to avoid detection, and the E-Verify system has limitations, such as not matching against death records, allowing some people to fraudulently use deceased individuals’ Social Security numbers.
Redefining Human Smuggling
What the Law Says
The new law establishes felony charges for individuals who transport immigrants into Florida without proper inspection by authorities. The severity of the charges varies based on the number of immigrants transported and whether it is a first or subsequent offense.
Potential Impacts
The provision concerning human smuggling has generated significant controversy due to its lack of clarity. The term “inspected” remains undefined in the Florida bill, deviating from federal immigration laws. Attorney Evelyn Wiese warns that this ambiguity could lead to false arrests and detentions of tens of thousands of people.
Mixed-status families and groups of friends are particularly concerned about the potential consequences of the law. The Florida Policy Institute estimates that 130,000 U.S. citizens in Florida are married to undocumented immigrants, raising the possibility of U.S.-born spouses being charged with felonies for transporting their partners into the state. Additionally, farmworkers who travel together or with their families could also face charges under this provision.
The Economic Impact of the Law
Florida’s new immigration law has far-reaching implications for the state’s economy. While supporters believe it will create more job opportunities for lawful citizens, critics argue that it will result in significant economic losses.
The Florida Policy Institute warns that the state’s most labor-intensive industries could lose a substantial portion of their workforce without the contributions of undocumented workers. This loss could amount to a $12.6 billion decrease in Florida’s GDP, reducing workers’ spending power and diminishing tax revenue for the state and local governments.
The fear and uncertainty surrounding the law’s enforcement have already had visible effects, with videos circulating on social media showing abandoned construction sites and rotting crops. Immigrant rights advocates report an influx of inquiries from workers unsure whether they should continue showing up for work.
Conclusion
Florida’s new immigration law, Senate Bill 1718, presents significant challenges for businesses and workers alike. The implementation of E-Verify requirements and the potential penalties for non-compliance raise concerns about the state’s economy, especially in labor-intensive industries. The lack of clarity in defining terms related to human smuggling adds to the fears and uncertainties surrounding the law’s enforcement. As the law’s effective date approaches, the impact on Florida’s businesses and workforce remains to be seen.
