Immigration
DEMOCRATIC PARTY POSITION:
Together with strong border security, enforcement of immigration laws and swift processing of undocumented immigrants, compassionate immigration policies and processes must be a priority. Current practices, however, demonstrate a different story – one that detains persons broadly, including U.S. citizens, harms families and communities of color, and erodes constitutional practices intended to safeguard everyone.
Effective immigration enforcement does not require abandoning due process, human dignity or equal justice under the law. All these violations are currently being practiced by ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement). Upholding these principles is not a political choice, but a constitutional obligation to which all branches of government must be committed to uphold. This includes implementing meaningful oversight and accountability processes to ensure government agencies do not violate the rights of citizens, including immigrants and visitors, it is sworn to protect. Democrats also place importance on paths to legal status for those who entered the country illegally, especially those who entered as children (these known as the Dreamers).
- REPUBLICANS AND REPUBLICANS IN FLORIDA:
Republicans place particular importance on strong border security, including construction of a physical wall along the southern border. They favor expanded detention and deportation of illegal immigrants, including those who have resided for many years in the United States and have committed no violations of the law. This includes children known as the Dreamers. Republicans support limits on asylum and entry and merit-based legal immigration emphasizing a preference for skills, education, and economic contribution. They argue these policies protect national security and uphold the rule of law. Critics argue they restrict humanitarian protections and reduce pathways for immigrants.
In 2023, the Florida GOP governor and GOP majority in the legislature enacted SB 1718 which created new challenges for immigrants in Florida::
- Bars local government from providing funding to issue community IDs to persons who do not prove lawful presence in the U.S.
- Invalidates out-of-state driver licenses that are issued without being required to show proof of lawful presence in the U.S. (i.e. driver licenses that are issued to individuals who are undocumented or who cannot prove lawful presence).
- Makes it a crime to drive in Florida with this type of license.
- Requires hospitals and emergency departments that receive Medicaid to ask patients about their immigration status.
- Penalizes employers for failing to verify employment authorization and criminalizes noncitizens who use false identification documents to obtain work.
- Requires all employers to verify new employees’ work authorization, and require private employers who employ 25 or more employees to use E-Verify to confirm new employees’ work authorization.
- Beginning on November 1, 2028, SB 1718 prevents DACA holders from being admitted by the Supreme Court of Florida to practice law in Florida.
- Makes it a felony to transport into the state of Florida a person who you know or reasonably should know (1) entered the U.S. unlawfully; and (2) has not been inspected by the federal government.
The effect of this recently enacted law is to scare the undocumented immigrant community and drive them to leave the state of Florida. Most of them have become essential workers for Florida’s agricultural, construction, and hospitality sectors. These sectors are the main drivers of the Florida economy and the absence of this workforce is causing major disruptions for businesses who rely on them as a source of labor.
Talking Points to VIEW, SAVE, SHARE, PRINT: