Florida Immigrant Support and Growth Act: A Straightforward Fix
Let’s keep this simple.
Florida believes in hard work.
We believe in family.
And we believe in following the law.F
But if you want people to follow the law, you’ve got to give them a way to do it.
Right now, too many immigrants in Florida don’t have a clear path to live and work legally. When that happens, people don’t disappear. They go quiet. They work off the books. They avoid doctors. They keep their heads down.
That doesn’t make Florida stronger. It makes things harder.
What the Research Is Saying
This isn’t just talk.
A study from the University of South Florida on SB 1718 found that after the law passed, many immigrant families said life got tougher. They reported more fear, more job problems, and more trouble getting healthcare. Even some U.S. citizens in mixed-status families said they felt the impact.
Another report from the University of South Florida on healthcare access found some immigrants are skipping doctor visits because they’re afraid. They wait until it’s an emergency.
When people wait until it’s an emergency, it costs more.More for hospitals.More for taxpayers.More for everyone.
That’s not political. That’s practical.
What It Means for Florida’s Workforce
Florida runs on workers.
Farms.
Construction sites.
Restaurants.
The Kaiser Family Foundation’s analysis of Florida’s immigration law explains that immigrants make up a large share of workers in these industries.
Reporting from WFSU News on economic concerns after SB 1718 highlighted warnings about possible labor shortages and economic strain.
Less workers means:
Slower projects
Higher costs
Smaller harvests
More pressure on local businesses
That affects everybody, not just immigrants.
What the Florida Immigrant Support and Growth Act Supports
This proposal is built on one idea:
If you follow the rules, you get a fair shot.
It supports immigrants who are willing to:
Work legally
Pay taxes
Send their kids to school
Learn job skills
Start businesses
Respect the law
That’s not a handout. That’s responsibility.
When people work legally, they pay into the system.
When they open businesses, they hire people.
When families are stable, communities are safer.
That strengthens Florida.
The Criticism — and the Clear Answer
“It encourages illegal immigration.”
No. Clear rules reduce confusion. A system that works makes it easier to follow the law.
“It costs too much.”
Working people paying taxes grow the economy.
Emergency systems cost more than prevention.
Bringing people into the legal system strengthens the tax base.
“It’s soft.”
There’s nothing soft about expecting people to work, pay taxes, and follow the rules.
Strong states enforce the law.
Smart states build systems that actually work.
Why This Matters
Florida deserves laws that create order, not chaos.
This proposal is about responsibility, legal work, and stronger communities.
That’s why I, Francesca Yabraian, Candidate for Florida District 1, am putting it forward.
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