Several bills introduced by Florida legislators aim to strengthen Florida’s E-Verify law—particularly by eliminating the twenty-five–employee minimum for use of the database—and include increased penalties for noncompliance. They also add independent contractors to the definition of “employee.” These changes are part of the state’s and the federal government’s continued initiative to combat illegal immigration.

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...

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