CNN
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Some of the distinguished Latino advocacy teams in america is urging individuals to keep away from touring to Florida forward of a brand new immigration regulation that’s set to enter impact in July.
Forward of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ anticipated presidential bid announcement, he signed a regulation final week requiring employers with greater than 25 workers to examine their immigration standing utilizing a federal database often known as E-Confirm. Employers who don’t adjust to the regulation face fines of $1,000 per day till they supply proof that their employees are authorized residents.
Moreover, the regulation invalidates out-of-state identification playing cards, similar to driver’s licenses, issued to unlawful immigrants and prevents Florida-based companies from issuing new playing cards. This may stop individuals who immigrated illegally to drive a automotive within the state. Individuals who transport undocumented individuals dwelling in america may face steep fines and doable imprisonment.
The immigration regulation is one in every of a number of controversial legal guidelines DeSantis signed lately which have garnered nationwide consideration as he prepares to probably go up towards former President Donald Trump and others within the 2024 Republican presidential major.
Domingo Garcia, president of the Latino advocacy group League of United Latin American Residents (LULAC), known as the brand new immigration regulation “hostile and harmful.”
“Because of this for less than the second time in LULAC historical past, we’re issuing a journey advisory for anyone touring to Florida,” Garcia mentioned at a press convention on Wednesday. LULAC, a civil rights group devoted to advancing alternatives for Hispanic People, was established 94 years in the past.
DeSantis mentioned the regulation is essential to combat again “towards reckless federal authorities insurance policies and making certain the Florida taxpayers should not footing the invoice for unlawful immigration,” in response to a press release when he signed the regulation earlier this month.
Francisco Maldonado, a farmer primarily based in Homestead, Florida, mentioned he personally isn’t anxious in regards to the new regulation as a result of he employs fewer than 25 individuals. However he’s anxious that undocumented employees who keep within the state will likely be deported.
Farmers whom he is aware of who make use of greater than 25 employees are scared. “They don’t know what they’re going to do, they may lose a part of the farm they usually don’t know who’s leaving,” he instructed CNN.
Many neighboring farms have already misplaced employees in anticipation of the regulation, he mentioned. To date none of his employees have fled.
“Legal guidelines like this, that do nothing greater than harass immigrants, are unhealthy for a state’s economic system.” mentioned Lydia Guzmán, who leads LULAC’s immigration committee, on Wednesday.
Echoing these remarks, Maldonado mentioned, “immigrant employees, actually, are the drivers of Florida’s economic system,” and the brand new regulation is “actually punching down on the communities that make this economic system run.”