This new law entered into force on July 1, 2023 in the state of Florida, find out what its repercussions are and how it affects migrants.
SB 1718 is considered an anti-immigrant law since it contains a series of policies that criminalize and harm the activities and daily life of immigrants in Florida. However, this law not only impacts immigrants in Florida but immigrants from all over the country, since it represents a damaging precedent for the rest of the states.
There are several points that are necessary to know about this law and thus make it clear what are the practices and activities that are considered illegal due to the entry of this law.
Transport
One of the most controversial points about this law is the issue of transportation. Pursuant to SB 1718, transporting undocumented persons within the state of Florida using any type of transportation is now a felony that can be punished by up to 15 years from prison. In other words, entering the state transporting undocumented people is illegal.
On the other hand, providing transportation to undocumented immigrants who are already within the states is not considered a crime. For example, taxi or transportation services that take an undocumented person with them is not a crime.
Driver's licenses
Another of the issues that SB 1718 addresses is driver's licenses. This law invalidates undocumented driver's licenses that were issued outside of the state of Florida. In this way, if an undocumented person drives in Florida with a valid license in another state, they run the risk of being fined or even arrested.
E-Verify
The law also requires companies with more than 25 employees to use the E-Verify system. E-Verify is a system within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that allows businesses to determine the work eligibility of their employees, whether they are citizens, residents, or non-citizens.
Currently, no federal law requires any employer to use this tool. E-Verify has been criticized by various organizations in favor of migrants, since they indicate that it is not accurate and that it also harms employers.
Community IDs programs/Community identification
Under the new law, local governments can no longer fund community ID programs, however existing IDs are still valid. These types of programs benefit the immigrant population by allowing non-citizens who are not eligible for state and/or federal photo IDs to obtain a valid ID.
Health services
Now hospitals have to ask patients about their immigration status, however, no one person is required to answer this question. Likewise, any person continues to have the right to medical care.
