September 2nd 2023.
Florida's controversial SB 1718 law is not helping the much-needed Hurricane Idalia cleanup. This law, which cracks down on migrants who are in the state illegally, is preventing undocumented workers from rebuilding what Idalia destroyed. According to UBS Bank, the damages from Idalia may even surpass $9 billion.
The areas hardest hit by the natural disaster are primarily neighborhoods with a large Latino and Black Caribbean immigrant population. Maggie Vidal, a hotel worker in Perry, Florida, is worried that DeSantis' law will stop these immigrants from coming back. She says, “This is where all the immigrants that the governor wants to push out are needed. Who is going to do all of this work? There is a lot, a lot of work here.”
The strict immigration law, which became effective on July 1, 2023, makes it a felony to “knowingly and willfully” transport undocumented persons into the state, including relatives and friends. Furthermore, out-of-state driver’s licenses issued to immigrants who lack legal status are no longer valid, and hospitals that accept Medicaid are required to inquire about their patient's immigration status.
Since the bill was passed, many farm and construction workers have moved out of Florida. Immigrant rights organizations have sent letters to DeSantis' administration requesting that “a public statement be issued suspending immigration enforcement by state and local authorities,” particularly in areas where a state of emergency has been declared and residents are prone to evacuate and return to their homes after the storm. Paula Muñoz of the Florida Immigrant Coalition has urged Governor DeSantis to “demonstrate strong leadership by ensuring that no one is deterred from accessing shelter and necessary assistance due to immigration concerns.”
Unfortunately, this fear is all too real for immigrants who have been forced to flee flooded Florida and seek refuge in New York. According to Documented NY, these individuals have heard rumors of immigration raids constantly taking place in their Florida neighborhoods.
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