Hispanic Federation Issues Statement on Florida's New Immigration Law
For Immediate Release: May 5, 2023
Contact: media@hispanicfederation.org
On Tuesday, May 2, the Florida legislature passed a bill targeting the immigrant community. In response, Hispanic Federation’s Florida State Director Laudi Campo released the following statement:
"Earlier this week a dangerous law was passed by the Florida legislature which blatantly targets and criminalizes undocumented immigrants. The purpose of this bill is to further invoke fear in all immigrants and their families. It is against the values of our nation when the state infringes upon a person's privacy by requiring hospitals to ask about immigration status before obtaining care. It is against morality when the purpose of this provision is to deter undocumented immigrants from seeking medical care. It is against equity when the law strips those who have graduated from law school, passed the bar exam, and earned their license to practice law just because they lack permanent status.
Pushing immigrants back into the shadows will have a direct and indirect social and economic effect that will impact us all. Similar anti-immigrant legislation in Alabama and Georgia in 2011 resulted in crops rotting in fields and multi-million-dollar losses for farmers.
Hispanic Federation stands with all immigrants and recognizes the countless contributions they have made and continue to make to our society. Immigrants harvest the fruits and vegetables we eat under harsh conditions, build and maintain the houses and businesses that provide shelter and services to all, and work tirelessly in multiple jobs to provide for their families. They are, in fact, being penalized for striving to live the American dream and contribute to our society.
These anti-immigrant actions and the passage of this law is a reflection of our country's broken immigration system, which has long needed major reforms to ensure that those who contribute to our society can live with dignity and without fear.
We urge all those who are outraged by this law to remember that although the legislators enact the laws, the people are the ones who elect our legislators. We must remember this moment and ensure that we exercise our right to vote and make our voices heard at the ballot box."
