Latino protesters protest in Tampa against Florida immigration law

Demonstrators from different Latin American countries protested this Sunday at a rally in the city of Tampa, on the west coast of Floridaagainst migration law SB1718, approved in May by the Parliament of that state and which according to complaints will worsen the conditions of migrants in an irregular situation in the US.

The coordinator of the September 15 Foundation, the Honduran Juan Flores, told EFE that the call aims to denounce the entry into force, in less than a month, of the SB1718 law, which, as he stressed, “criminalizes immigration in Florida” and will mean also a blow against the labor market.

Flores, whose organization defends Honduran immigrants and Latin American immigrants in general, maintained that, among other consequences, the entry into force of this norm “will mean that many jobs in Florida that are currently occupied by migrants in Florida will remain unfilled.” sectors such as agriculture, construction and hotels and restaurants.

The rally takes place at the intersection of Columbus and Drive avenues in the city of Tampa.

The norm, promoted by the governor of Florida, Ron DeSantiswhich has already made official that it will fight for the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential elections, contemplates, among other points, penalties of up to 15 years in prison for anyone who transports illegal immigrants to Florida, as well as fines for employers who hire undocumented immigrants.

The regulation, signed by DeSantis on May 10, prohibits counties and municipalities from providing funds to any person, entity or organization to provide identification documents to a person who does not have proof of legal status. in United States.

“This law, in any case, makes a problem visible and reveals that in Florida there is modern slavery,” said Flores, after denouncing that thousands of migrants who lack “papers” are hired by businessmen who pay them below the stipulated wages by US labor law.

“With this concentration we want to raise our voices and demand respect,” said Flores, who also recalled that President Joe Biden once promised immigration reform that he has not fulfilled.

For this reason, Flores requested President Biden to help the migrant community through an executive order, although he did not give details about that request.

The regulation, which was approved thanks to the Republican majority in both Florida legislatures, establishes fines and revocation of licenses for companies that do not ensure the immigration legality of all their workers..

It also imposes the obligation of hospitals and medical centers in the state to collect information on the immigration status of their patients, and invalidates in Florida the driver’s licenses issued to undocumented immigrants in other states.

The September 15 Foundation, which was established on September 15, 2019, the date since which it has defended Honduran and Latino migrants, called another protest on June 1 with the same objective in Tampa in rejection of Law SB1718 that gathered thousands of people.

Prepared with information from EFE