24 MAY 2023
DeSantis’s Record on Immigration is Extreme and Out of Touch with the American Electorate
Ron DeSantis enters the GOP presidential primary as his latest anti-immigrant measure “could bring Florida’s economy to a halt.”
Florida - Governor Ron DeSantis has announced his campaign for president despite continued plummeting poll numbers and amidst a megaphone of criticism from religious, business and civil rights groups from across the Sunshine State following the Governor’s support for an extreme anti-immigrant law, Senate Bill 1718, which among other measures would impose criminal penalties on any individuals, including U.S. citizens, traveling with undocumented family members in Florida.
DeSantis has consistently adopted an aggressive and punitive stance against immigrants, including employing harmful rhetoric and tactics such as sending migrants to other states. With the passage of Senate Bill 1718 – legislation based on DeSantis’s previous executive actions and threats against the Biden administration – Florida is already feeling the economic consequences of the governor’s extreme policies. The state is facing work shortages and empty work sites due to increasing fears among immigrant workers in the state. The law has also left employers trying to navigate the incredible amount of “uncertainty” created by the law as economic observers point out that Senate Bill 1718 “could bring Florida’s economy to a halt.”
According to a recent poll conducted by Global Strategy Group, a majority of battleground voters (64%) opposed DeSantis’s anti-immigrant bill, saying “it goes too far.”
“From waging a losing fight with the largest employer in Florida to launching an assault against one of the largest immigrant workforces in America, DeSantis is playing cultural war games at the expense of Florida’s economy and working families,” said Beatriz Lopez, Chief Political and Communications Officer of the Immigration Hub. “He’s already giving America a preview of how he would undermine hard-working people, our economy and our shared values. DeSantis has made anti-immigrant policies a cornerstone of his presidential campaign even as the state of Florida – its workers, businesses and economy – suffer. He’s willing to block children from reuniting with their loved ones and jeopardize the rights of U.S. citizens for simply traveling together with immigrant family members. He’s already used families as pawns to raise his profile. DeSantis has repeatedly proven he’s unfit to be governor – and outside of Florida, America will laugh at the ‘emperor without clothes.’”
Read more on DeSantis’ anti-immigrant track record:
Vox: Ron DeSantis’s immigration law is already leading to worker shortages
Florida Phoenix: Gov. DeSantis plans legislative attack on Florida’s undocumented immigrants
NBC News: In Florida, agricultural workers are fearful and brace for changes under new immigration law
Huffpost: Hispanic Rights Group Advises Against Florida Travel Amid DeSantis Immigration Crackdown
Truthout: Ron DeSantis Is a Case Study in the Threat of Fascism in the US
NBC News: Ron DeSantis signs immigration crackdown as Biden prepares to end Title 42
Salon: “Evil and inhumane”: DeSantis trolls Martha’s Vineyard with planes of migrants — but locals step up
MSNBC: In DeSantis' fight against woke, Florida may instead go broke
Newsweek: Opinion: DeSantis's E-Verify Won't Work. But If It Did, It Would Be Terrible for Florida's Economy
CBS News: Florida agriculture chief says immigration law could pose "challenges"
MSNBC: Mexico’s president slams DeSantis over cruel anti-immigration bill
Orlando Weekly: Leave it to Florida's Ron DeSantis to utilize overt racism and abject dehumanization as a national political strategy
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The Immigration Hub is a national organization dedicated to advancing fair and just immigration policies through strategic leadership, innovative communications strategies, legislative advocacy and collaborative partnerships.