Florida’s Immigration Law Taking Toll on Businesses
One year after the implementation of Florida’s immigration law, SB1718, businesses in the state are feeling the effects. Enacted by Governor Ron DeSantis, the law aims to crack down on employers using undocumented labor and restricts undocumented individuals from obtaining driver’s licenses.
The agricultural sector, particularly strawberry farmers in Plant City, is facing significant challenges due to labor shortages caused by workers leaving the state out of fear. Wish Farms, a prominent local business, heavily relies on H-2A guest workers, but the system’s outdated nature and rising costs are becoming unsustainable.
According to the Florida Policy Institute, the law could potentially cost the state’s economy $12.6 billion in the first year alone. The impact is not limited to agriculture, as industries like construction and hospitality are also experiencing labor shortages.
Business owners, such as David Crowther, are advocating for an expansion of the H2B program to address the shortage of workers. However, the atmosphere of fear created by the law is leading many immigrant workers, like Ana Maria Perez, to consider leaving the state.
Perez, a business owner and former fruit picker, is planning to relocate due to the negative impact of the immigration law on her business and the local workforce. With businesses struggling and the economy facing potential losses, the consequences of Florida’s immigration law are becoming increasingly apparent.
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