Floridians React to State’s Strict New Immigration Law in Hillsborough County

The recent signing of Florida’s strict new immigration law has sparked a heated debate among Floridians, with advocates and opponents voicing their opinions on the controversial legislation.

Eliseo Santana, a prominent advocate in the Hispanic community in Tampa Bay, expressed concerns about the impact of the new law on both documented and undocumented individuals. Santana, who is also a veteran and former law enforcement officer, believes that the law will create division and prejudice in the Tampa Bay area.

On the other hand, supporters of the bill, such as Nikki Jones, a mother who tragically lost her husband in a crash caused by an undocumented driver, see the legislation as a necessary step to protect families and children.

The new immigration laws in Florida include requirements for hospitals to inquire about patients’ citizenship status, mandatory e-verify employment screening for businesses with 25 or more employees, and harsher penalties for those who knowingly hire or transport undocumented individuals. Additionally, the state’s migrant relocation program will receive an additional $12 million in funding.

Republican lawmakers argue that the immigration package will serve as a deterrent to a migrant influx, while critics like Santana believe that the laws are instilling fear and going against the principles of liberty and justice for all.

Governor Ron DeSantis defended the legislation, citing the need to address what he calls the Biden administration’s border crisis. While immigration policy is typically set at the federal level, Florida’s new laws represent some of the strictest state-led immigration measures in the country.

As Floridians grapple with the implications of the new immigration law, the debate over immigration policy and enforcement continues to be a divisive issue in the state.