Florida’s New Law on Immigrants May Foreshadow What’s to Come Nationally

Last summer, our research team spoke with Lianna (a pseudonym), an immigrant woman who came close to being deported. She explained that now she moves around her community in Florida with caution and even avoids certain areas while driving. "My worst nightmare is being pulled over by the cops. I try very hard to avoid it."

Florida's Senate Bill 1718, signed into law in 2023, offers a stark preview of the far-reaching consequences that strict immigration policies will have on immigrants and broader communities. This law mandates the use of E-Verify for employers with over 25 employees, requires hospitals receiving Medicaid funds to collect immigration status information from patients, and bars local governments from funding community IDs, among other provisions.