Pinellas County House Republican Berny Jacques Credit: Photo via Florida House

The Florida Legislature passed a law two years ago that required employers with more than 25 employees to use E-Verify to vet the legal status of new hires.

Now, with Florida Republicans already passing strong measures this year cracking down on illegal immigration to align with President Donald Trump’s goal of mass deportations, a proposal (HB 955) that would require all private employers in Florida to use the E-Verify system to check each employee’s legal status won approval by its second committee in the House on Monday, and now will go to the floor for a final vote.

“It builds upon what we’ve already done here in the state of Florida,” said Pinellas County Republican Rep. Berny Jacques, a co-sponsor along with Jacksonville Republican Kiyan Michael.

“Prior to two years ago, there was no requirement whatsoever for private employers, unless if you were contracting with the state government. We did a requirement for 25 or more employees, so that closes that gap to make sure that the workforce integrity is uplifted and we are making sure that every worker in this state is authorized to do so legally.”

The Legislature passed significant measures cracking down on illegal immigration in a special session in early February, including making it a misdemeanor for immigrants over the age of 18 to “knowingly” enter Florida and imposing the death penalty for immigrants lacking permanent legal status who are convicted of capital crimes such as murder or sexual abuse of minors under 12.

Thomas Kennedy with the Florida Immigrant Coalition said the expansion of E-Verify was a “bad deal for Floridians,” noting the state is already facing an acute worker shortage.

“At a time where we are basically touching all the ‘do not touch’ buttons in terms of wrecking our economy, including mass layoffs, increasing prices, undermining consumer and international confidence, why would we continue messing with our state, with our workforce?” he asked the House Commerce Committee.

Democratic support

However, both Republicans and some Democrats applauded the measure.

“Every job in Florida should go to someone who is legally authorized to work in this country. Period,” said Panhandle Republican Rep. Michelle Salzman. “We must prioritize American workers and Florida families who are here legally.”

Miami-Dade Republican David Borrero questioned why anyone on the committee could opposed E-Verify for all businesses. And he said it would encourage employers to pay higher wages for American workers.

“If you are opposed to this bill, then what you are saying is that you are okay creating an environment where people can break the law,” he said.

“You are okay with an environment where they can take away jobs from the American people. … [I]f this is truly creating a working shortage, then what that means is that we do not have reasonable-paying jobs in these industries. And so you know what happens is that when you take away these jobs from undocumented immigrants, maybe now we’re going to have jobs that pay reasonable rates — maybe now developers, contractors, farmers where they’re actually going to pay reasonable rates for the American people. That’s what’s going to happen.”

Florida is one of 23 states that use E-Verify in some fashion, although only a handful require all private companies to use the system.

The bill passed, 19-3, with three Democrats joining every Republican on the House Commerce Committee supporting it.

Whether the proposal makes it into law is in question, though, as the Legislature begins its sixth week in the nine-week session. None of the bills filed in the Senate that addresses E-Verify have been heard in any committee yet.

Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Michael Moline for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com.

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