When Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law e-verify requirements for undocumented workers last week, immigration lobbyists viewed it as penalizing them for having been born in countries that are in turmoil. But America First advocates say it's a victory for Americans.
“Our hearts break for the Floridians who today are more persecuted,” said Tessa Petit, executive director of the Florida Immigrant Coalition. “Their home state is telling them they hate them.”
Senate Bill 1718 requires businesses employing more than 25 workers to use E-verify to determine employment eligibility, makes it a felony to use false identification to obtain eligibility, and allows for license revocation or considerable fines if an employer violates E-verify requirements four times in a 24-month period.
“It’s a great step in the right direction,” said Gene Hamilton, America First Legal vice president and general counsel. “It reduces the economic incentives for people to come to the United States unlawfully. They now know they're not going be able to work in the state of Florida, which creates more job opportunities for the citizens.”
Immigration advocates condemn the new law for being harsh.
“This legislation cruelly aims to make life harder for people navigating our complex immigration system who every day get up and give their best to the state of Florida as a matter of pride,” said Samuel Vilchez, Florida State Director, American Business Immigration Coalition. “It not only penalizes Florida businesses that rely on workers who are immigrants to keep their doors open, but it also disrupts the quality of critical care and services provided by churches and health centers.”
Under SB 1718, hospitals that accept Medicaid and emergency departments are required to collect data on the immigration status of patients including when visiting the emergency room, and makes transporting people who are without a regulated immigration status into the state of Florida a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
“There are Floridians who are not immigrants and who have the potential to be incarcerated for traveling with someone who is yet to regulate their immigration status,” said Renata Bozzetto, FIC deputy director. “Our friends and family who are immigrants without legal status will suffer for not going to seek medical care for fear of disclosing their status. Church groups are now having to rethink retreats and mission travel in other states, because of the implications of returning their congregants home when a felony charge is a possibility.”
The Secure the Border Act, which was approved by Congress last week on the eve of Title 42's expiration, also includes e-verify requirements.
"A key component is that if you're going to come to this country and apply for asylum, God bless you," said Congressman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). "You can't fault people for wanting to come into the greatest country ever. You come here. You can apply, but we are going to detain you or return to you, and we're not gonna release you."