Quick Hits

• Florida legislation proposes eliminating the twenty-five–employee minimum threshold requiring private employers to use E-Verify, effectively requiring all private employers to use E-Verify for their workforces, regardless of size.
• The legislation proposes to include independent contractors within the definition of “employee” for E-Verify purposes, breaking from federal law, which does not require an I-9 for such individuals.
• The legislation proposes significant business license and financial penalties for noncompliance as well as if an unauthorized alien worker causes injury or death to another.

Following the change of presidential administration in late January 2025, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis came under pressure by Republican lawmakers for his office’s perceived failure to enforce the state’s current E-Verify statute. This pressure aligns with the Trump administration’s initiative of combating illegal immigration. Shortly after, Governor DeSantis signed immigration legislation into law with respect to penalties for undocumented immigrants and a new State Board of Immigration Enforcement.

The Florida Legislature is now taking steps to strengthen the existing E-Verify laws for private employers. On February 17, 2025, Florida state Senator Jason Pizzo (D–District 37) filed Senate Bill (SB) 782: Immigration, and on February 25, 2025, Florida state Representative Allison Tant (D–District 9) filed House Bill (HB) 1033: Immigration Status and Employment...

Read Full Story: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi2wFBVV95cUxNMjBBeXV6N0lSa2xyeEF1d1FF...