Florida has threatened to suspend licenses for any business that fails to provide proof of E-Verify compliance as state law requires. E-Verify is a free and easy-to-use online program that allows employers to instantly check the legal eligibility of foreign laborers to work in the United States.
The announcement is part of a state-wide effort led by Gov. Ron DeSantis to protect Florida residents and their employment from the undue competition by illegal aliens, especially as the crisis at the southern border only seems to worsen day-to-day.
Breitbart News reports:
The Department of Economic Opportunity (DEP) sent letters to several businesses, flagging the various companies for “repeat non-responsiveness” to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
“If you persist and fail to respond to the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), there will be significant consequences,” the letters read, warning that the notice serves as the “final opportunity to respond before consequences are initiated.”
It adds that the DEP will “not grant any extensions” or excuses for nonresponses. The companies had one month from the date of the letter to provide an affidavit stating the company will comply with the law and terminate the employment of illegal aliens.
If a business fails to comply with the abovementioned letter within a specified time frame - it could result in the suspension of “all licenses” held by the said company “specific to the business location where the unauthorized alien(s) performed work.” If no licenses are held by the specified location where aliens have worked - the state of Florida will suspend any licenses held at the company’s “primary place of business.”
The letters had a deadline of Monday, Jan. 16th, and were sent to a multitude of businesses, including Prestige Cruise Services LLC, Upperline Health Inc, and the American National Red Cross.
Jeremy Redfern, deputy press secretary for Gov. DeSantis, explained that the state is “cracking down on the unlawful employment of unauthorized aliens in the state of Florida.” Redfern added:
Companies that have not affirmed that all employees have passed E-Verify and are authorized to work in the United States are given an opportunity to cure the issue and so affirm. Six companies have failed to do so after repeated notices and are subject to the suspension of their licenses to operate their business in the state. They have been issued final notices of non-compliance.
Florida’s commitment to the free and easy-to-use E-Verify program should act as a model for every other state. In 2021, The Sunshine State even hung signs on all major interstates declaring that the state uses E-Verify. Gov. DeSantis stated at the time:
For years prior to my administration, attempts to pass E-Verify legislation in Florida failed, but I would not yield until this matter was addressed.
Assuring a legal workforce through E-Verify is crucial to upholding the rule of law and deters illegal immigration into Florida, which is more important than ever given the border crisis.
The Florida Gov. accurately pointed out that complete compliance with E-Verify throughout the state places “upward pressure [on] Floridians’ wages,” and protects public safety.
You can read the complete story here.
