TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — State lawmakers kicked off last year with not one but three special sessions on illegal immigration. A key debate then was E-Verify, which has now made its return to the statehouse.
E-Verify was a hot topic for the legislature last session, so much so that three different lawmakers filed similar bills aiming to strengthen the system and add harsher penalties.
“One of the things that encourages illegal migration is job opportunities. So, if you can shut that down and make sure that there are no exemptions whatsoever, less people will come here illegally to work,” said State Rep. Berny Jacques (R-Seminole).
Currently, Florida law requires businesses with at least 25 employees to verify workers’ citizenship status. This year’s bill would take it a step further, making everyone, no matter their number of employees, comply.
“If you recall, not only do we pass it off the House floor, but we passed it in bipartisan fashion.
We had several democrats join us in voting for this because it’s common sense. It’s already against the law. This is simply enforcing federal law,” said Jacques.
But fears for immigrant families and impacts on small businesses were a concern for some members last session.
“Members, we need to understand how many people this bill would hurt. It would hurt so many families, and it breaks my heart to know that some of my immigrant people cannot sleep at night. This is not a joke for me. This is a serious matter,” said State Rep. Marie Paule Woodson (D-Hollywood), in debate last session.
And not only were Democrats pushing back on the bill, but the Senate also killed its chances of making it to the governor.
But for Jacques, the fight isn’t over.
“We can’t rest on our laurels. We can’t say mission accomplished and then go about our way. The minute we do that is when the issue comes back. And so we need to continue to lead on this issue,” said Rep. Jacques.
With the bill’s return, pushback is expected.
And it’s clear immigration reform was not only a major priority last session but also will be a key debate heading into the year ahead.
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