The proposal to expand e-verify would affect small companies

Florida small companies that rely on workers with a migration background would be affected if four related invoices that suggest to expand the e-verify program in state law.

The measures (HB 955Present HB 1033Present SB 782Present SB 149) Require private companies to document the status of a new employee in order to legally work across the federal government E-acid Program. SB 782 and HB 1033 include stiff enforcement penalties: fines of 10,000 to 500,000 US dollars and suspension of a business license.

These invoices would expand the state's e-verify law to close a gap and to end exceptions for companies with fewer than 25 employees. All companies, regardless of the number of employees, would be included. All four suggestions were introduced in chambers and referred to committees for debates.

The Republican sponsor of HB 955, Rep. Berny JacquesR-Seminole said he submitted his draft law to “ensure that the workplaces in Florida go to American workers and not to those who violate our immigration and labor laws.”

He added that it was important to close the gap that “companies made it possible to take advantage of illegal work at the expense of the legislative Floridians.

Sen. Jason PizzoA democrat and sponsor of SB 782 in Südflorida with the toughest enforcement punishments said: “While many spoke intensely to combat illegal immigration, we were here in 2025 and I, the democratic minority leader, the first to submit a legislation to E-Verify for all employers. Because you are not serious to contain illegal immigration if you continue to crouch donors and do not listen to our citizens. ''

Pizzo's invoice is sponsored by Republicans Sen. Joe Gruders by Sarasota.

Lobbyists for small companies seem to be ready to combat legislation. There are 3.3 million small businesses in Florida, and according to the state, almost 500,000 fewer than 19 employees deal Small Business Administration 2024 Small Business Profiles.

“We can support exceptions for small companies,” said Bill Herrle, Managing Director of Florida National Federation of the independent company.

The companies in central florida, which are the most relying on undocumented workers Sean SnaithDirector of the Institute for Economic forecasts at the University of Central Florida.

Immigrants without legal status make up about a third of the construction workers in Florida and almost half of its agricultural workers, according to the data in 2023, which were analyzed by the census Kff Advocacy organization for health policy.

“Even if it becomes a law, I think there is a lot of resistance in terms of enforcement just because some of these sectors are important for various parts of the state of Florida,” said Snaith. “Only eliminating everyone without papers may be very annoying. ''

Inquiries about comments on the laws from a dozen roof and agricultural companies in Central Florida were rejected.

The Florida Nurery, breeder and landscape associationWhat the state's gardening industry represents published an explanation in response to an interview request: “Fngla is obliged to legal, fair and legitimate employment practices. We support guidelines that offer employees legal and safe opportunities and at the same time ensure long-term sustainability and success of the kindergarten and landscape industry in Florida. ''

The supporters of employees in the district illegally said that the invoices were impractical and predicted that they would exceed the realities of the economy and the labor market in Florida.

Hector DiazThe managing partner of the law firm based in Miami said that the enforcement of an extended e-verify program was quickly problematic and suggested that the plan was a politically functional step by legislators and governor Ron Deantis in favor of the Trump administration.

“It will be difficult to enforce e-verify unless you have enough federal or state agents to do the enforcement,” said Diaz. “And I don't think it is practical, because how will you choose which groups of employers aim? ''

Diaz said that farmers could be targeted and would probably be negative negative if the bills are right.

Jeannie Economoswho campaigned for around 20,000 agricultural workers in Central Florida at the Farmworker Association of Florida, said that the legislation would worsen Jlabor deficiency in the state's agricultural industry. she said Federal Guest Worker Program Wasn't enough to fill the lost work.

“It is only astonishing for me that our state legislator goes in this direction,” said Economos. “I don't know what you think. But if you want to support small companies and want a good economy and if you want to thrive in this state, this is the wrong way.

“As many companies in this state rely on undocumented workers. It is one thing to protect security and protect the citizens in this country. It is another thing to pursue people who do the hard work that no one else does, and the implementation of this e-verify program is exactly the wrong way. ''

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