( Spanish) —For undocumented immigrants in Florida, daily life could turn into a nightmare if a controversial bill being promoted in the state goes ahead. Here, what you should know.
The United States is the country with the largest number of immigrants in the world. According to the last census there are more than 45 million immigrants in the territory, which represents 13.6% of the total population.
Many of these immigrants are in an irregular situation. The Pew Research Center estimates that there are about 10.5 million undocumented immigrants in the United States.
The states that welcome the largest number of immigrants are California, Texas, New York, New Jersey and Florida.
Advice for undocumented immigrants who decide to travel to Florida
The Coalition for Immigrant Human Rights in Los Angeles (Chirla) warns immigrants that traveling to Florida –where precisely 4.6 million people from other countries live– is dangerous and asks them to reconsider doing so due to the projects bills that have been filed in the state this year.
For those who still decide to travel, the organization recommends:
• Create a personal and family safety plan.
• Memorize the phone number of an experienced civil liberties and/or immigration attorney.
• Discuss a plan with loved ones regarding the care/custody of children, pets, property, and personal belongings.
• Call the Chirla Immigrant Hotline or Florida Immigrant Hotline to report a raid at your home or work and get more information about your constitutional rights.
The project that could turn the lives of undocumented immigrants into a nightmare
For undocumented immigrants in Florida, daily life could turn into a nightmare if a controversial bill being promoted in the state goes ahead.
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis introduced it in February, he said, to take action against the growing threat he says posed by illegal immigration as a result of the Joe Biden administration’s failure to secure the borders.
The Republican says Florida “will lead the way in protecting Americans from the ill effects of the left’s open borders agenda.”
Media publishers such as Los Angeles Times They have called Bill 1718 one of the most draconian anti-immigrant policies in the country. We explain why:
Sanctions for those who collaborate with undocumented immigrants
The bill provides criminal penalties for individuals who knowingly conceal, harbor, transport, or protect those who entered the United States illegally.
In this sense, it provides for up to five years in prison and fines of US$5,000 if the undocumented person to be helped is of legal age. If he is a minor, the sentence is increased to 15 years and the fine amounts to US$10,000.
Restriction on the validity of documents
The initiative specifies that some driver’s licenses and identifications issued by other states to illegal immigrants are not valid in the state of Florida and requires authorities to cite people who drive with an invalid license.
It also prohibits counties from providing funds to any person, entity, or organization that issues identification documents to an individual who does not provide proof of lawful presence in the United States.
Requirements for hospitals and employers
The bill requires some hospitals to collect information on the immigration status of patients in admission records, while requiring them to submit quarterly reports with that information.
It also increases the maximum fine for employing, contracting or referring immigrants in an irregular situation for public or private positions. And it requires private employers to verify a person’s employment eligibility before hiring.
With information from Jennifer Montoya, Julián Zamora and Cynthia Zamora of en Español.
