Image courtesy Pixabay: poster by Victor Mendoza.

Since the 1800s, it has been said "No man's life, liberty or property are safe while the Legislature is in session" and it seems this saying still holds true today.

Last year, the legislature passed a bill mandating businesses with more than 25 employees to E-verify their employees. It’s important to note contractors working on public projects were already required to E-Verify their employees. This bill extended that to the private sector. Those who do not comply face a possible fine of up to $1,000 per day and suspension or revocation of their license.  The bill also requires hospitals that receive federal and state Medicaid reimbursements to track and report care for undocumented immigrants that seek treatment in the emergency room.

This new mandate is having a devastating impact on Florida’s economy, especially construction, hospitality and agriculture, leading to price increases and delays.

Florida is one of 22 states that mandates E-Verify, leaving 28 states for these workers to move to and leave Florida.

Speaking for and about the construction industry, we are already facing workforce issues. A great number of workers have reached retirement age and not enough young workers are entering the field to make up for the losses. Jobs remain open and wages are increasing at historic rates affecting prices for the end user. Couple this with increasing interest rates and many commercial projects are being shelved which has a negative effect on the local economy.

According to the Migration Policy Institute there are approximately 800,000 unauthorized people living in Florida. Based on one economic impact study this new mandate could result in the loss of approximately 54,000 jobs in construction alone. According to GCBX members, employees who are E-Verify-ed are leaving out of fear that a spouse or family member could need medical care that would result in their deportation and that is a risk they are not willing to take.

Let’s face it, our immigration system is broken. We are letting millions of people in each year without a clear path to citizenship or a program to sponsor them for work. In most instances they are given a court date years in the future. Wouldn’t a program that permitted an expedited work authorization be to everyone’s benefit?

Good public policy does not necessarily result in a good political sound bite, but it gets to the root of the problem and solves it for the public good. This is certainly a problem that needs to be addressed at the Federal level, but at the State and local level let’s allow for solutions that allow for work and for being productive members of society. When a business wants to sponsor an employee currently it costs tens of thousands of dollars and takes years to accomplish. This just is not doable for a small or medium-sized business.

Let’s ensure that these individuals are here for the right reasons and aspire to the American Dream. Let’s ensure they do not have a criminal background or are here for the wrong reasons. Let’s also have a reasonable and streamlined mechanism where employers can get the workers they need and keep the engine of the local economy running.

I am hopeful that during this legislative session, elected leaders in Tallahassee will take a look at this and reach out to stakeholders to find solutions. I have not heard anything yet and the economic engine is sputtering, but I’m still hopeful.

Mary Dougherty is executive director of the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange.

Image courtesy Pixabay: poster by Victor Mendoza.