DeSantis calls on Florida legislature to pass E-Verify immigration requirement

This week, Governor Ron DeSantis (R) called on the Florida Legislature to pass an E-Verify requirement on the upcoming 2020 legislative session, and he was joined in making the call with Senator Joe Gruters (R) and Rep. Cord Byrd (R).

In a statement, Governor DeSantis commented that he wants “the Florida Legislature to pass and send to my desk common sense E-Verify legislation to ensure a safe and legal labor market in Florida.”

The Florida Governor added that “the reason this is so timely is twofold- it’s about fairness for lawful immigrants and native-born workers, and it’s about public safety.”

As well, he reassured his support for the legislature, noting that he trusts that “the Legislature will act swiftly in the 2020 Legislative Session” to “pass an E-Verify requirement for employers in this state to protect Florida workers, preserve the rule of law, and make our communities safer.”

Since winning the gubernatorial race in the 2018 midterm election, Governor DeSantis has focused on not only maintaining the sunshine state’s flourishing economy but to also keep the state safe.

Senator Gruters, who is also the Chairman of the Florida Republican Party, also weighed in on the Governor’s call, saying that “Governor Ron DeSantis’ leadership is why we now have the strongest ban of sanctuary cities in the country.” Moreover, “we are now going to work together again to deliver for Florida workers.”

He explained that “E-Verify provides a fast, free, and effective way for an employer to verify that new hires are authorized to work in the U.S. using the same documents as required by the preexisting I-9 process.”

Gruters affirmed that this is the right step for the state because “this will protect Florida workers against unfair job competition and wage depression.”