TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – With Democrats saying the proposal could lead to racial profiling, the Florida Senate on Friday passed an immigration package that Republican supporters said is aimed at forcing the federal government to address an “invasion” of migrants into the country.
The bill includes a number of provisions requested by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who drew national attention last year after his administration flew 49 migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. The measure includes $12 million for similar efforts, steering the money to the state Division of Emergency Management for the “Unauthorized Alien Transport” program.
DeSantis and the Legislature in recent years have passed a series of changes to target illegal immigration, including a 2019 law that banned so-called sanctuary cities. A federal appeals court this month tossed out a constitutional challenge to that law. The governor has made immigration changes one of his top priorities for the legislative session scheduled to end May 5.
The Senate bill (SB 1718) would require businesses with 25 or more workers to use the federal E-Verify system to check the immigration status of employees. Since 2021, such businesses have been required to use E-Verify or what are known as I-9 forms.