The Florida House recently passed a measure that would require all Florida employers to use the federal government’s E-Verify system to check the immigration status of their employees. The bill, known as HB 1265, passed by a vote of 79-36, with mostly Republican support. Proponents of the bill argue that it is necessary to ensure that only legal workers are being hired in the state, and that it will help curb illegal immigration.
However, the bill faces an uncertain future in the Florida Senate, where it has yet to be taken up for a vote. Senate President Wilton Simpson has expressed skepticism about the bill, stating that he is concerned about the potential impact on businesses and the workforce. Some senators have also raised questions about the effectiveness of E-Verify in preventing illegal immigration, pointing to studies that show it has a high error rate and can unfairly target legal workers.
Despite passing the House, it appears that the E-Verify measure may be dead on arrival in the Senate. With only a few weeks left in the legislative session, it is unclear if the bill will even be heard in committee. Supporters of the bill are pushing for its passage, arguing that it is necessary to protect American jobs and ensure that businesses are following the law. However, opponents believe that the bill would be harmful to businesses and could lead to discrimination against legal workers. The fate of the bill now rests in the hands of the Senate, where its future remains uncertain.
The Florida House has recently passed a bill that would require all public and private employers to use the E-Verify system to check the immigration status of their workers. The bill, known as HB 1265, was approved by a vote of 79-38, with strong support from Republican lawmakers who argue that E-Verify is necessary to crack down on illegal immigration and protect American jobs. However, the measure faces an uncertain future in the Senate, where it has been stalled in committee for weeks.
Opponents of the bill, including many Democrats and immigrant rights groups, argue that E-Verify is an ineffective and flawed system that can lead to discrimination against legal workers. They also point out that the bill would place a heavy burden on businesses, especially small employers, who may struggle to comply with the new requirements. Some critics have also raised concerns about the potential impact on Florida’s agricultural industry, which relies heavily on immigrant labor.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the bill’s fate in the Senate, supporters of HB 1265 remain optimistic that it will ultimately become law. They argue that E-Verify is a vital tool for upholding the rule of law and ensuring that only legal workers are employed in the state. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Cord Byrd, has vowed to continue pushing for its passage, even as opposition mounts. It remains to be seen whether the Senate will take up the measure before the end of the legislative session.
The Florida House of Representatives recently passed a bill that would require all Florida employers to use the federal E-Verify system to check the immigration status of their employees. The measure, which passed by a vote of 79-38, is seen as a way to crack down on illegal immigration in the state. Supporters of the bill argue that it will help protect American jobs and ensure that only legal residents are able to work in Florida.
However, despite the bill’s passage in the House, it faces an uncertain future in the Florida Senate. Senate President Wilton Simpson has expressed doubts about the bill’s chances of passing in the Senate, stating that he is not sure if there is enough support for the measure among Senate Republicans. Some senators have raised concerns about the potential impact of the bill on Florida’s economy, particularly in industries that rely heavily on immigrant labor.
Opponents of the bill have also criticized it for potentially leading to discrimination against immigrants and for placing an undue burden on Florida businesses. They argue that the E-Verify system is not foolproof and has been known to produce false positives, leading to legal workers being wrongly flagged as unauthorized. As the bill makes its way through the Senate, it remains to be seen whether it will ultimately become law or if it will meet the same fate as previous attempts to pass similar measures in the state.
