What is Florida law SB1718? Here are the penalties the law provides for undocumented migrants in the United States

First victim of the so-called law against immigrants? A Mexican is in prison and faces deportation. The man was arrested in Florida for a traffic violation and ended up on charges of human trafficking.

They added to this burden by mobilizing undocumented immigrants in their vehicle, Noticias Telemundo reported.

This is already considered the first instance of state law SB1718, which takes effect July 1, 2023 in Florida, being applied, the outlet added.

According to human rights activists from that state of the United States, the Mexican is “the first victim” of this law, which is considered anti-immigrant. They accuse her of “criminalizing irregular migration”.

These are the documents companies will require to operate under Florida’s new immigration law

The aforementioned law went into effect July 1 last year, which also requires companies with 25 or more employees to use the federal E-Verify program (a federal database) and requires hospitals to collect and share the immigration status of their patients.

The activists warned, as reviewed by the Voice of America and published by El Universo in June 2023, “that the measure could affect more than 770,000 undocumented immigrants living in Florida.”

Law against undocumented immigrants in Florida

The controversial elements in this law were reported last June by La Voz de América:

These are the main points of the strict immigration law that will be introduced in Florida

Florida Immigration Law: What’s the First Federal Lawsuit Against DeSantis’ Imposed Regulations About?

transport of migrants

The criticized law, enacted by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, prohibits the transportation of undocumented immigrants into Florida. If they do, the drivers could be charged with human trafficking.

According to the Voice of America, “penalties of five years in prison and fines of $5,000 will be considered if the undocumented individual is of legal age. But 15 years in prison and $15,000 fines if minors are in the vehicle.”

Univisión outlined that law SB 1718 imposes sanctions up to 30 years in prison the transfer of undocumented immigrants.

Under the new law, El Comercio published, it is considered “a felony to cross the Florida state line and transport undocumented migrants.”

Section 10 of SB 1718 points out that this medium provides: “Any person who knowingly transports any person within this State that that person knows, or should reasonably know, has entered the United States in violation of law and is not inspected by the federal government since his illegal entry from another country, commits a felony of the third degree.”

The seriousness of the offense increases to the second degree if you are transporting more than 5 persons or a minor under the new legal regulation.

In Florida, what happens to the driver’s licenses issued to undocumented immigrants in at least five states?

The first victim is a young man who came from Georgia and had 7 people in the car, 2 of which had papers, 5 and the driver did not, they accused him of smuggling, he is in prison, he already has a lawyer.

Juan Sabines Guerrero, Mexican consul in Orlando

A lawyer, José Guerrero, according to El Comercio, explained to Univisión that “with the law in force, if you commit any of the offenses listed in SB 1718, such as knowingly transporting an undocumented person into the state, you can be charged criminals. And if you are arrested, you must seek legal assistance to defend yourself against the criminal charges against you. It will be a complex situation.”

(JO)