Global Courant 2023-05-30 19:49:42
1How could the SB1718 law promoted by Governor Ron DeSantis affect the Honduran community that lives without papers in the state of Florida?
R/ This is something that will affect everyone in general, whether we have legal status or not. Let’s just think, there are many businessmen who are dedicated to the construction, cleaning, and agricultural sectors, pay taxes, have their companies legally established here in Florida, and most of their employees are undocumented.
They will no longer be able to offer employment to these people who are willing to work, because now they will have to go through a verification system to verify their legal status and if they hire undocumented workers, these companies will be fined. So, undocumented immigrants are left without income, without work and businessmen without employees, because literally, in these areas there are categories and depending on your nationality is the acceptance you have in this area and we Central Americans are classified as one of the best employees in these guilds.
Another way it affects us is if we have undocumented family members who live in any other state and want to come to the Florida to visit or on vacation, they will not be able to do so because they will be in danger of being stopped on the road; Or, if you come as a passenger in the car of a citizen or resident and this car crosses the border, either from Georgia or Alabama to Florida, you will be breaking the law. And if an officer pulls them over, this can end up in a human trafficking charge which means you will face a criminal case.
2) Do you think that there is already concern among the legal and illegal migrant community in this country?
R/ There’s definitely concern on both sides, as I said earlier, we’re all going to be affected, but there are also a lot of racist people who are very happy with everything that’s happening to undocumented people.
3) Is the approval of such a restrictive law justified in any way?
R/ By no means, there is no justification, but there will probably be advantages for those people who work in other fields and have a legal status. For example, in recent years the costs of living have increased drastically due to the high flow of people settling in the Floridawhich happens after the pandemic.
Due to climate changes in the northern states, many people who lived in New York, Illinois or New Jersey have decided to emigrate to Florida because of its warm temperatures and of course, because of the language, especially in Miami, since more than 50% speak Spanish.
4) Are there other laws that protect immigrants who, although they do not have papers, pay taxes and work transparently? Does this duality really exist?
R/ Not in the state of Florida, since it is not a “Sanctuary State”, but for example, before the SB 1718 law, undocumented immigrants with driver’s licenses from other states could drive without problems within Florida.
They could also receive medical assistance without questioning their immigration status, and unfortunately now there is nothing that is of benefit to an undocumented person more than having an immigration process in progress, in fact, not even for those who have an “ITIN number”, do they pay their taxes up to date, and have businesses, are exempt from deportation.
5) What impact does it have on the jobs that the undocumented usually do and this law, which I understand, goes into effect in July?
R/ Construction companies, restaurants, cleaning companies, housekeepers, and farmers will probably be short-staffed, since the largest percentage of people in these industries here are undocumented. Personally, I would like to know what is the action plan that the governor of Florida will have for these entrepreneurs.
6) What would you recommend to undocumented Hondurans living in Florida, considering your experience as an advisor on these issues?
R/ Well, it is worth mentioning that we still have hope that it will be repealed, since it goes against the Constitution. Because immigration control is federal, not state, and there are no regulations yet that explain and detail how state government agencies will work together with the federal government, which is in charge of enforcing immigration law.
Meanwhile, if it is promulgated by the governor, all people in the state, including American citizens, residents with green cards, visas or temporary stays such as TPS, Daca, should ideally carry a document that proves their identity. in case you need to show it but; If you are accompanied by an undocumented person, the following is recommended:
-Do not disclose your nationality even if it has a legal status, so as not to expose the rest of the companions
-If you feel harassment on the part of the officer then, keep silent, as that is your right.
-Remember You are not required to disclose your immigration status.
-All crew members of a vehicle, including the driver, have the right to remain silent
-If you feel threatenedjudged or in fear of some kind, you can ask to speak to a lawyer and make a phone call.
-In the case of immigrants undocumented, have a plan B ready. Call a family member who is the contact for these situations and have them call the lawyer and take care of your legal issues
-Keep all numbers handy necessary phone numbers and know exactly who to call if you are stopped.
-The person you will callyou must be aware of the situation and know what to do in those cases.
-The family that is not detainedAlthough it sounds bad, you must have the necessary documents to be able to continue with your lives in the United States in case there is a detention or deportation of a family member
-For no reason present false documents or those of another person.
-It is recommended to have legal documentsgranting authorization (Power of attorney) to someone you trust who can take care of your bank accounts, property or minors, in case you are detained or deported.
7) Do you have any idea how large is the population of Hondurans without papers, how many with papers and how many undocumented in general there are in Florida?
R/ There is no exact number of hondurans since the census talks about undocumented immigrants in general and, according to Florida statistics, there are around 700 thousand undocumented immigrants, but obviously there are many more.
8) What are these people used for, in general?
R/ In the areas of construction, agriculture, restaurants, cleaning, transportation, etc.
9) Are Hondurans already seeking advice so as not to be affected by this law?
R/ Of course yes, many. In fact, one of our recommendations is that those people who have evidence for medical, psychological situations and any serious event in the past, still have time to submit their asylum processes, no matter if the regulatory time has passed, which is a year, they can still do it, an asylum allows them to reside with legal permits while they have to defend their case before a judge, which can take a couple of years.
10) Tell me a little about your experience in migration issues
R/ Well, a few years ago I worked for an immigration law firm where I gained a lot of knowledge on the subject and I have always kept up to date with the laws. It is a subject that I am passionate about and many of my friends or acquaintances always came to me to help them with their processes or simply give them some type of immigration advice, which is quite easy for me.
Last year, I decided to study and dedicate myself fully to acquire my degree as a specialist in federal immigration. The themes of migration they are of daily study, since immigration laws are constantly changing. I am not a lawyer, I have a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, I am a Notary Public for the state of Florida and a specialist in Federal Immigration.
In January of this year, with my partner Melanie Gabrie, who also has extensive knowledge and experience in this, we decided to dedicate ourselves to our company L&M Immigration Services, and since then we have had a high demand for immigration processes, even before L&M existed. Until now, all the processes that we have submitted and that we have already obtained a response have been very favorable. We make sure that the processes that we take have a high percentage of a positive response.
