Florida is threatening to suspend the licenses of companies that do not show proof of compliance with E-Verify, which guarantees they are not hiring illegal immigrants. This is part of a larger effort to safeguard Florida citizens and the jobs they hold as the country faces a massive immigration crisis along the southern border.
The Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) sent letters to a variety of businesses, warning those businesses guilty of “repeat non-responsiveness” to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) about the consequences.
“If you persist and fail to respond to the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), there will be significant consequences,” the letter warns, stating that the notice is the “final opportunity to respond before consequences are initiated.”
The letter also states that the DEO will “not grant any extensions” or excuses for non-responses. The companies were given a month following the date of the letter to file an affidavit stating that the business will adhere to the law and cease any employment of illegal immigrants.
Failure to follow the terms of the letter within the stipulated period of time will lead to the suspension of “all licenses” held by the business “specific to the business location where the unauthorized alien(s) performed work.” In situations where they don't have a license that is specific to the location of the business where the illegal alien was working, the license issued for the firm at its “primary place of business” will be suspended.
The letter was addressed to several businesses, including Prestige Cruise Services LLC, Upperline Health Inc., and the American National Red Cross. The deadline was Monday, January 16.
Jeremy Redfern, deputy press secretary for Governor Ron DeSantis, told The Center Square that the Sunshine State is “cracking down on the unlawful employment of unauthorized aliens in the state of Florida”:
“Companies that have not affirmed that all employees have passed E-Verify and are authorized to work in the United States are given an opportunity to cure the issue and so affirm. Six companies have failed to do so after repeated notices and are subject to the suspension of their licenses to operate their business in the state. They have been issued final notices of non-compliance.”
The DeSantis administration is not a stranger to boasting about E-Verify within the state. In 2021, the administration placed signs across all major highways connecting to Florida, informing motorists that the state actually utilizes E-Verify.
“For years prior to my administration, attempts to pass E-Verify legislation in Florida failed, but I would not yield until this matter was addressed,” DeSantis said to Breitbart News at the time, noting that he worked with the Florida legislature to push E-Verify across the final hurdle.
DeSantis also said that E-Verify's use creates “upward pressure [on] Floridians' wages” and safeguards public safety.
“Assuring a legal workforce through E-Verify is crucial to upholding the rule of law and deters illegal immigration into Florida, which is more important than ever given the border crisis,” he stated.
A Rasmussen Reports/NumbersUSA poll taken after the 2022 election discovered that midterm voters supported nationwide action against U.S. employers hiring illegal immigrants.
