Florida's new immigration law sparks fear and outrage

Florida's new immigration law, which goes into effect today, has sparked fear and outrage among advocates, businesses and migrants who say it will harm the state's economy, public health and human rights.

The law, known as Senate Bill 1718, was backed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and passed by the GOP-controlled legislature in May. It imposes some of the nation's toughest penalties and restrictions on undocumented immigrants, such as:

Third-degree felony charges for "knowingly" transporting people in the country illegally across state lines into Florida.
New employment requirements that include random audits of businesses suspected of hiring illegal workers.
A felony charge for using false identity documents to get employment.
A requirement for hospitals to ask patients about their legal status.
A ban on driver's licenses issued to non-citizens in other states from being used in Florida.
An additional $12 million for the state's migrant relocation program, which has been criticized for shipping migrants to far-flung locations such as Martha's Vineyard and Sacramento.

DeSantis said the law was necessary to protect Florida's sovereignty, security and rule of law from the "invasion" of illegal immigrants, especially amid the Biden administration's "open borders" policies.

"We are not going to sit back while Biden fails to do his job," DeSantis said at a signing ceremony in June. "We are going to do what we can to protect our people here in Florida."

But critics say the law is unconstitutional, discriminatory and counterproductive. They argue that it will create a climate of fear and distrust among immigrant communities, discourage them from seeking health care or reporting crimes, and drive away workers and customers from vital industries such as agriculture, tourism and construction.

"This law is an attack on our values, our economy and our humanity," said Thomas Kennedy, state coordinator of the Florida Immigrant Coalition, a group that advocates for immigrant rights. "It will make Florida less safe, less healthy and less prosperous."

Kennedy said his group and others are planning to challenge the law in court and mobilize voters to hold lawmakers accountable in the next elections.

Some local governments, such as Miami-Dade County, have also expressed opposition to the law and vowed not to cooperate with its enforcement.

Meanwhile, many undocumented immigrants in Florida are facing a difficult decision: whether to stay or leave.

One of them is a 59-year-old woman from Mexico who has lived in Immokalee, a town where nearly 40% of residents are foreign-born, for more than two decades. She worked as a tomato picker until she was diagnosed with cancer last year. She said she fears being asked about her status at a hospital or being arrested for driving her grandchildren to school.

She said she wants to stay close to her family and friends, but she also wants to avoid trouble with the law.

"You want to stay, but you also want to go," she said.

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