Immigrant rights advocates in Florida warn that that undocumented immigrants who live, work, and are raising families in the state would live in increased fear of deportation under an “apocalyptic” state proposal that would force local law enforcement to collaborate with federal immigration authorities, separate families, and devastate the local economy. “In response,” coalition group We Are Florida said, “over 300 Floridians from all over the state came to Tallahassee” to protest at the end of last month.
Senate Bill 168 “deputizes police officers to cooperate with ICE [and] apart from the humanitarian and physical perspective, we end up paying for that bill,” said Tomas Kennedy of immigrant rights advocacy group FLIC. “Domestic violence victims are already scared to go to the police: imagine the climate of fear these proposals would foment. The trust between public and law enforcement would just be shattered. People would be very afraid to cooperate with law enforcement.”
The Trump administration’s anti-immigrant policies have already had devastating effects on communities. WNYC reported last month that applications for a type of visa given to immigrants who have been victims of crime or witnesses to crime were down, and advocates believe it’s because the administration’s mass deportation platform has simply made them too afraid to step forward. Trump has an anti-immigrant ally in the state’s governor Ron DeSantis, who supports the bill.
Immigrant rights advocates aren’t the only ones who know that when immigrants are able to trust police, it makes communities safer for all. “I’d prefer not to have this job if I had to ask fellow officers to go check where someone is from before helping them,” said Miami chief of police Jorge Colina. “I don’t care if you have papers or don’t have papers, where you came from or who your parents are. That’s not my job. My job is to make sure everyone in this city is safe.”
The financial consequences would also be vast, particularly in the agricultural sector. “A study by New American Economy calculated a loss of $3.5 bn in gross domestic product and a drop in tax receipts of more than $100m if just 10% of the state’s undocumented workers were to leave.” The Guardian reports, “the same percentage that fled Arizona’s workforce following the passage of the since-repealed ‘show me your papers’ law of 2010.”
But first and foremost, it’s about communities, and they are worried. “Things like a broken taillight or driving to work can lead to the separation of families,” Florida State University student and activist Nataly Chalco said. “Undocumented means that every time a loved one gets behind the wheel you get scared. We deserve to live in communities where we aren’t treated like criminals simply for existing.” Click here to ask state lawmakers to protect Florida’s communities and economy by voting against SB 168.