President-elect Donald Trump is on the brink of officially announcing a national emergency, a move that would pave the way for the mass deportation of undocumented migrants. As a consequence, Florida could potentially experience significant disruption in the upcoming year.
Immigration experts estimate that approximately 1.1 million residents in Florida, which accounts for about 5% of the state’s population, are living without legal permission. The extent to which Trump pursues deportation will have significant implications for communities, families, workplaces, and the overall Florida economy.
People living and working in Florida under programs such as Temporary Protected Status (TPS), asylum, or parole for Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan (CHNV) migrants may be at risk.
Thousands of children born to undocumented parents in Florida have been able to build new lives thanks to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). However, this program might come to an end once Trump assumes office in January.
Deportations could cause ‘real issues here in Florida’
Juan Carlos Gomez, a professor and immigration expert at Florida International University College of Law, expressed concern about the programs in Florida. According to him, these programs pose significant challenges for the state.
Gomez added, “What will the consequences be for the economy? However, we must also consider the impact on individuals and families. Many people are living in fear at this moment.”
Miami-Dade County, home to a diverse population with nearly 70% Hispanics, exhibited strong support for Trump during the November elections. The Republican candidate secured a victory with an 11-point lead over Democrat Kamala Harris, marking the first time a Republican presidential candidate had won the county since 1988.
Miami-Dade could potentially become the epicenter for Trump’s immigration policies.
Gomez pointed out that many individuals seemed to believe that the situation did not pertain to them. However, the truth will eventually be revealed.
According to Trump, the implementation of mass deportations would lead to a decrease in crime rates and create more job opportunities for American citizens. He further emphasized his intention to declare undocumented immigration as a national emergency and utilize the military for conducting deportations.
The American Immigration Council, a research and advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C., recently released a report stating that the estimated 13.3 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. would cost taxpayers at least $315 billion if they were to be deported.
Almost half of the population resides in the states of Florida, Texas, and California.
According to the report, mass deportations would result in a significant fiscal burden for American taxpayers. This burden would be further compounded by the reduced tax base that would be created as a result of mass deportation. Additionally, the report states that the effects of mass deportation would be felt by every American, particularly in terms of a devastated labor market.
Florida\’s law prompted smaller scale exodus
Florida might have already caught a glimpse of the potential outcomes of Trump’s deportation plan.
Last year, Gov. Ron DeSantis implemented a law that imposes penalties on employers who hire undocumented workers and prohibits individuals who are not legally in the country from obtaining a driver’s license.
DeSantis has expressed his support for companies that hire immigrants, as long as the process is legal.
DeSantis Signs 2023 Immigration Law: Taking a Stand Against Illegal Immigration
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has recently made headlines by signing a new immigration law aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration. In a bold move, DeSantis is taking a firm stand against the issue and expressing his dissatisfaction with the Biden administration’s approach to immigration.
The new law, which will go into effect in 2023, includes a range of measures designed to address the issue of illegal immigration in the state. These measures are aimed at tightening border security and ensuring that those who enter the country illegally face consequences for their actions.
DeSantis has been vocal in his criticism of President Biden’s handling of immigration, particularly at the southern border. He believes that the federal government has not done enough to address the issue and that states like Florida must take matters into their own hands.
In signing the new law, DeSantis is sending a clear message that Florida will not tolerate illegal immigration. He is determined to protect the interests of his state and its residents, and believes that strong action is necessary to achieve this.
This move by DeSantis has been met with both praise and criticism. Supporters of the law argue that it is necessary to protect the integrity of the state’s borders and ensure the safety of its citizens. Critics, on the other hand, argue that the law is overly harsh and will only serve to further divide communities.
Regardless of the controversy surrounding the new law, DeSantis remains steadfast in his commitment to addressing the issue of illegal immigration. He is determined to do whatever it takes to protect the interests of Florida and its residents, even if it means taking on the federal government.
Project 2025: GOP’s “Lab Rats” Experiment in Florida
The Project 2025 initiative by the GOP seems to have been test-marketed in Florida, leaving behind several clues about its controversial nature. This ambitious project, with a rather intriguing name, raises eyebrows and prompts questions about its intentions and potential impact on the state and its residents.
Florida’s agriculture, construction, and tourism industries heavily depend on a workforce whose legal status is often uncertain.
Although plan could come in January, Florida leaders defer to feds
House Speaker Daniel Perez, a Republican from Miami, emphasized that the responsibility for determining any immigration policy lies with the federal government.
Senate President Ben Albritton, a Republican from Wauchula, refrained from providing much insight on the matter, stating that it falls under the jurisdiction of the federal government. He emphasized that it is a federal issue and ultimately their responsibility to address.
Florida, along with five other states, collects over $1 billion in taxes from undocumented immigrants. However, with deportations looming, this significant source of public money is likely to vanish.
According to a report published earlier this year by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, a nonprofit research organization, undocumented immigrants in Florida contributed more than $1.8 billion in state and local taxes in 2022. The report estimated that approximately 747,000 undocumented immigrants in Florida made these tax payments.
According to the institute’s findings, the shadowy labor force contributes nearly $100 billion in federal, state, and local taxes nationwide. This amount exceeds the cost of government services received by these workers.
These taxes play a crucial role in funding important federal programs like Social Security, Medicare, and food stamps. It’s worth noting that individuals working illegally in the U.S. are ineligible to receive benefits from these programs.
Homeowners, mixed-status families also could be swept in net
According to a study conducted by the American Immigration Council, it was discovered that in 2022, 39% of households headed by undocumented immigrants were homeowners. The deportation plans of the Trump administration had the potential to disrupt the lives of approximately 1.6 million homeowners within this population.
According to the report, there are also many undocumented immigrants who have close ties to U.S. citizens. In fact, the report reveals that there are four million mixed-status families that could potentially be impacted.
However, the implementation of Trump’s policies may result in a decrease in the number of undocumented immigrants through self-deportation.
The council predicted that around 20% of the targeted 13.3 million people may opt for “self-deportation,” essentially choosing to leave the country voluntarily.
The idea of self-deportation was originally introduced by Republican Mitt Romney during a primary debate in Florida, prior to his nomination as the party’s presidential candidate in 2012.
Upon taking office in January, Trump made a firm commitment to initiate mass deportations without delay.
During a rally at Madison Square Garden near the end of the presidential race, Trump declared his intention to implement the most extensive deportation program in American history on Day 1. He vowed to remove criminals from the country, rescue invaded and conquered cities and towns, and swiftly incarcerate these vicious and bloodthirsty offenders before expelling them from the nation.
Undocumented immigrants in Florida contribute a higher proportion of their income in taxes compared to wealthier residents, a trend that is observed in 40 states.
According to the study conducted by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, individuals working illegally in Florida end up paying an average of 7.9% of their income in state and local taxes.
This is significantly higher compared to the top 1% of Florida earners who only pay 2.7%. The burden of Florida’s 6% sales tax falls disproportionately on lower-income individuals, making their overall tax contribution higher in relation to their income.
You can get in touch with John Kennedy, a reporter in the USA TODAY Network’s Florida Capital Bureau, via email at jkennedy2@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JKennedyReport.
The deportation plan proposed by Trump has the potential to affect a significant number of individuals in Florida, with estimates suggesting that as many as 1.1 million people could be targeted.
