Gov. Ron DeSantis signed what both he and his critics agree is the strongest anti-illegal immigration bill passed by any state legislature in the country on Wednesday.
Speaking in Jacksonville behind a podium with a sign reading, “Biden’s Border Crisis,” the governor blasted the president for the large influx of undocumented immigrants that has occurred across the U.S.-Mexican border over the past couple of years.
“Where is this president’s energy?” DeSantis said in what could be a preview of the case he will make against Joe Biden when he officially announces his expected candidacy for president. “Where is his vigor? Where’s his commitment to the cause? He’s just sitting around doing nothing of importance or nothing of note while the American people suffer.”
There have been more than 3.6 million encounters with undocumented immigrants at the southwest border since October 2021, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. And those numbers are expected to increase as soon as later this week with the expiration of Title 42. That’s a government policy from 2020 that allowed U.S. authorities to expel migrants encountered at the border to stop the spread of Covid-19.
What it does
The bill (SB 1718) that DeSantis signed into law contains a number of provisions designed to crack down on undocumented immigration in the state. It:
- Requires private employers with 25 or more employees to use the E-Verify system for new employees beginning in July. The measure expands penalties for employers who fail to comply with E-Verify requirements, including possible suspensions and revocation of employer licenses.
- Restricts Florida counties and municipalities from providing funds to any person, entity, or organization to issue community IDs to individuals without proof of lawful presence in the United States.
- Bans the use of legally-issued out-of-state driver’s licenses from states that issue them regardless of immigration status and authorizes law enforcement to cite these people for driving without a license.
- Repeals a state law allowing lawyers who are still regulating their immigration status from practicing if they passed the bar after 2018.
- Requires law enforcement agencies to collect DNA samples from immigrants without a regulated status who are held under a federal detainer request.
- Requires state entities, local governments, and law enforcement agencies to send information to a federal agency regarding immigration enforcement.
- Establishes that the Domestic Security Oversight Council, an arm of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the chief of Domestic Security must coordinate with the federal government on immigration enforcement in Florida as well as terrorist activity.
- Expands the legal definition of racketeering to include human smuggling and human trafficking.
- Provides $12 million in taxpayer dollars to fund the “Unauthorized Alien Transportation Program,” which transports immigrants away from Florida.
DeSantis has pushed to crack down on undocumented immigration since his first weeks in office in 2019, going back when he pushed for legislation to crack down on “sanctuary cities.” That measure gave the governor authority to remove local officials if they espoused such policies, although at the time of the bill signing no such sanctuary cities or counties actually existed in Florida.
Effusive praise
Central Florida Republican Blaise Ingoglia sponsored the measure in the state Senate. He was effusive in praising DeSantis in a press release issued by the governor’s office Wednesday.
“Today, under the leadership of Gov. Ron DeSantis, Florida made history signing into law the strongest state-led anti-illegal immigration bill ever brought forth,” said Ingoglia. “It was an honor to usher this bill through the process, knowing we are safeguarding Floridians and serving as the model for the nation to combat this crisis created by our very own president.”
Immigrant rights groups slammed the legislation.
“Ron DeSantis’ legacy will forever be rooted in the fact that as the governor of the state of Florida, he signed into law the most brutal, inhumane, and anti-American immigration legislation that we’ve seen in the last 30 years of U.S. History,” said Andrea Mercado, director of Florida Rising, in a written statement. “It is a life-threatening, intimidating, and dangerous political stunt.”
“Whether it is on the issues of securing employment, seeking health care, practicing law, transporting loved ones across state lines, accessing proper identification and driving privileges, or requiring DNA samples from our incarcerated community members seeking to regularize their status, these bills have the same intent: deprive our immigrant communities and their networks of their dignity and humanity,” said Paul Christian Namphy, political director for the Family Action Network Movement.
Yvette Cruz, communications coordinator for the Farmworker’s Association of Florida, said in a statement that all of Miami-Dade County will be affected because the bill will punish those who interact with immigrants every day.
“The county is more than half foreign-born,” she said. “We all know and love someone who is an immigrant, all the way back to the Peter Panners who came from Cuba and were welcomed when they were children.”
The governor initially called for a major immigration package in a speech weeks before the legislative session began in February. However, one of the proposals in that speech — repealing the 2014 law allowing undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition rates for Florida colleges and universities, never made it into the final bill.
–Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix
cgm says
yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Erobot says
Thanks gov.
B says
Spread the hate am I right Republicans. He’s the new Fuhrer now. let me guess, next good ol boy Ron will send them to camps and tell them “Work will set them free.” History does rhyme.
Proud Floridian says
What an awesome leader. So glad I live in Florida and choose to raise my family here!
John Stove says
$12 Million of taxpayer dollars to fly immigrants to another state? How about you fix the Insurance calamity on our state before you do that professor? You have done nothing….zero…zip to help us in our state as Governor and yet you have the time to fly around the country and world while “you arent running for president”…
Oh and yes…..it is sooooo important to us as taxpayers that you try to F over Disney World! This was #1 on all taxpayers minds.
You and your fellow stooges will now waste millions of our tax dollars to defend yourself from the 1st Amendment lawsuit filed by the Disney Corporation. Again, great job…yes it is much more important than the out of control property insurance in our state.
A Concerned Patriot says
The author of this article (Mitch Perry) seems to have overlooked the fact that they are not MIGRANTS. Migrants move from region to region, searching for work and stability. Immigrants move from one country to another. EVERY country in the world has laws that govern the legal process of immigration. The millions of people that illegally cross our borders every year are neither migrants or simply undocumented immigrants. They are breaking immigration law, so their very first act when they entered this country was a criminal one.
I applaud Gov. DeSantis for re-enforcing existing laws and making it extremely risky for both the immigrant and anyone associated with them, to get caught in the state! Bravo, Governor!
Florida Voter says
Did I read this correctly? I’m hoping not, but the law is what is says, not what some people intend for it to be.
“Bans the use of legally-issued out-of-state driver’s licenses from states that issue them regardless of immigration status and authorizes law enforcement to cite these people for driving without a license.”
Umm… so our Gov is invalidating (in FL) all licenses from certain states? So if anyone moves here from one of those states …. truck drivers from those states … other visitors … all will be driving without a license?
Welcome to Florida, land of freedom, unless you’re from a state out governor is using as a “them” to rally against.
Florida Voter says
Good. I did not read that correctly the first time. What is omitted from the article is that the invalid licenses are only those “exclusively to undocumented immigrants” or licenses that “have markings establishing that the license holder did not exercise the option of providing proof of lawful presence.” (lines 189-201 of the bill)
Still, our state is now starting to NOT recognize documentation from other states. What’s next? Will we not accept birth certificates from Hawaii? (ref Trump/Obama). What about some other licensures, not just driving? This is a slippery slope that starts to turn local offices (DMV) that operate under state authority into immigration enforcement. Will students be allowed in school only if they can prove “lawful presence?” What other offices will be turned into immigration enforcement?
https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1718/BillText/er/HTML
For Real says
The jokes on us and I am not laughing.
Nephew Of Uncle Sam says
Another Law shuttled through by his puppets Renner and Hutson that ALL taxpayers in Florida will pick up the tab on, one way or another.
Me says
Disney is telling DeSantis do you want us to employ more people, pay more taxes? Yes or No? Disney said if DeSantis answer is no then they will pull out of the State of Florida. If and when that does happen the people in Florida need to run DeSantis out of this state since he is doing more damage in this state then any other Governor ever elected.
JD says
Seriously? You think Disney’s just going to up and leave Florida? It’s more lucrative for them to stay in FL even without their special districting than it would be to go anywhere else and set up the infrastructure that they’ve built here. Never going to happen. All talk… Grandstanding by Iger.
Nephew Of Uncle Sam says
Wouldn’t bet on it JD. They already cancelled some projects including moving 3,000 employees from California here. They’re not going to close up anytime soon but you can bet any expansions here will go under the microscope at corporate. Will they close up shop some day? They can do what ever they want including putting a new attraction in Japan or France before here or ever, it’s their company.
don miller says
disney ain’t going anywhere. everyone wants into florida and all for the same reasons. Freedom. Disney is not paying their fair share. For all those that scream about taxpayers subsidizing big business, here is your chance to mean it. Disney is big biz and threatens to leave if they don’t get their way. Just because they take care of their own district doesn’t mean they are doing it the best way . We want to assure it . It is our state also. Don’t let the mouse extort us and not help us the way they should..
Laurel says
The far right have a total love affair with chaos.
Land of no turn signals says says
Yes,Yes and yes That’s money well spent ! Unvetted Illegal aliens yes illegal should be shipped out asap.
B says
We are all humans, only ignorant people create dividing lines based on appearance, location, religion ect . Maybe try going to a different state and get an education. We are busy dismantling education here cause stupid people believe stupid lies. We have major issues as a state,as a nation, and as a species, hate to break it you but racist Ron wont be helping with any major issues only more hate to rally the base much like his idol Adolf. Laws are not a moral compass.
c says
And, Where were You with that attitude in 1420???
Nancy N says
Perhaps some economists should sit DeSantis down and explain to him how the covid limitations on immigration are partially responsible for the current labor shortage that is hurting businesses? Oh wait, what was I thinking…he’s not interested in facts that might interfere with him throwing red meat to his racist base.
jake says
Really, and here I thought the reason for a “labor shortage” is due to the fact the Federal Government gave away billions of dollars so people could sit on their ass.
don miller says
good. shouldn’t be getting off on the wrong foot here. start out legally and stay legal.
DaleL says
Some of the bill/law is good. Some is questionable. Some is bad. And some is just plain wrong.
Requires private employers with 25 or more employees to use the E-Verify system for new employees beginning in July. The measure expands penalties for employers who fail to comply with E-Verify requirements, including possible suspensions and revocation of employer licenses. (Good. Employers, for many years, have been taking advantage of undocumented and/or illegal immigrants. The employment of these people, usually at substandard wages, without benefits, hurts Americans and legal immigrants.)
Restricts Florida counties and municipalities from providing funds to any person, entity, or organization to issue community IDs to individuals without proof of lawful presence in the United States. (Questionable. This is anti-freedom and unnecessary.)
Bans the use of legally-issued out-of-state driver’s licenses from states that issue them regardless of immigration status and authorizes law enforcement to cite these people for driving without a license. (Wrong. The Commerce Clause of the Constitution does not allow states to regulate interstate commerce. The Equal Protection Clause would seem to prohibit Florida from treating out of state drivers licenses from different states differently. This could also backfire and cause the US Government to issue a nationwide drivers license that would supersede state licenses. It is also anti-business in that it is an indirect attack on tourism.)
Repeals a state law allowing lawyers who are still regulating their immigration status from practicing if they passed the bar after 2018. (Bad. This is perhaps legal, but a government taking. It will cost Florida taxpayers.)
Requires law enforcement agencies to collect DNA samples from immigrants without a regulated status who are held under a federal detainer request. (Questionable. Although it would allow positive verification of identity; it is also a type of search, without a warrant.)
Requires state entities, local governments, and law enforcement agencies to send information to a federal agency regarding immigration enforcement. (Questionable. This is an unfunded mandate.)
Establishes that the Domestic Security Oversight Council, an arm of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the chief of Domestic Security must coordinate with the federal government on immigration enforcement in Florida as well as terrorist activity. (Questionable. DeSantis sure likes big government in the style of George Orwell’s 1984. More Florida tax dollars spent on more government.)
Expands the legal definition of racketeering to include human smuggling and human trafficking. (Good. It is already a Federal crime to transport illegal immigrants within the United States.)
Provides $12 million in taxpayer dollars to fund the “Unauthorized Alien Transportation Program,” which transports immigrants away from Florida. (Wrong. Not only does this waste Florida tax dollars, it is on its face illegal.) “Federal law makes it a crime to transport or attempt to transport an undocumented noncitizen within the U.S. The law is in the Immigration and Nationality Act (I.N.A.), at Section 274(a)(1)(A)(ii).
So by my count, the law is just 2 good to an overwhelming 7 questionable, bad, and/or wrong.