JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Today, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1718 to combat the dangerous effects of illegal immigration caused by the federal government’s reckless border policies. This legislation makes the use of E-Verify mandatory for any employer with 25 or more employees, imposes enforcement penalties for those who employ illegal aliens, and increases penalties for human trafficking. Additionally, this bill bans local governments from issuing identification (ID) cards to illegal aliens, invalidates ID cards issued to illegal aliens in other states, and requires hospitals to collect and submit cost data to provide care healthcare for illegal aliens. Learn more about today’s announcement here.
The Biden Border Crisis has wreaked havoc in the US and put Americans in danger,She saidGovernor Ron DeSantis. In Florida, we will not stand by as the federal government abandons its legal duties to protect our country. The legislation I signed today gives Florida the most ambitious illegal immigration laws in the country, fighting reckless federal government policies and ensuring that Florida’s taxpayers do not foot the illegal immigration bill.
“Our southern border faced a man-made crisis under President Biden’s ineptitude, allowing more than 6.3 million illegal immigrants to flood our border,”said Senator Blaise Ingoglia.“Today, under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida made history by signing the state’s strongest law against illegal immigration ever. It has been an honor to usher this bill through the process, knowing that we are safeguarding Floridians and serving as a model for the nation to fight this crisis created by our own president.”
“Today, Florida sent a strong message that as a state we will protect our assets, our communities and our families,”Rep. Kiyan Michael said.
This legislation will require private employers with 25 or more employees to use the E-Verify system for new employees, effective July 1, 2023. This bill also expands penalties for employers who fail to comply with E-Verify requirements, including the possible suspension and revocation of employer licenses and the imposition of specific penalties on employers who knowingly employ illegal immigrants.
Additionally, this legislation creates a third-degree felony for an unauthorized alien to knowingly use a false identification document to obtain employment and prohibits a county or municipality from providing funds to any person or organization for the purpose of issuing identification documents or other documents to an illegal alien.
Importantly, illegal aliens will no longer be allowed to rely on out-of-state driver’s licenses. If another state has issued a license to an illegal alien who was unable to demonstrate legal presence in the United States at the time his license was issued, that person is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle in Florida.
Senate Bill 1718 also strengthens the crime of human trafficking when a minor is involved, when more than five people are smuggled, and when the defendant has a prior conviction for human trafficking. This bill also adds the crime of human trafficking to the list of offenses eligible for prosecution under the Florida Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act.
This legislation will also require each Medicaid-accepting hospital to include a question on admission or registration forms asking whether the patient is a US citizen or legally present in the United States or is not legally present in the United States. Hospitals will be required to provide a quarterly report to the Health Administration Agency detailing the number of patients who have visited the emergency department or been admitted to hospital in each category of the citizen status application on admission or registration forms .
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