Florida policy researcher explains how immigrants impact the economy

Earlier this month, Gov. DeSantis signed legislation creating sweeping adjustments to immigration laws in Florida.

Supporters say the adjustments will assistance curb illegal immigration, though immigration advocates say it sends a message that immigrants are not welcome in Florida.

According to the National Sheriffs’ Association, illegal immigration is unsustainable from a safety and financial standpoint.

Sadaf Knight, CEO of the Florida Policy Institute, breaks down how immigrants influence our economy and how responses to the new law could influence you.

Listen to the complete conversation in the player above.

Florida Policy Institute

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Florida Policy Institute

Sadaf Knight is the CEO of the Florida Policy Institute.

Effect on the economy and you

Viral videos of persons speaking out against Florida’s new immigration laws have some worried about the influence on the economy.

Primarily based on the Florida Policy Institute’s investigation, Knight mentioned these new laws could expense the state $12.six billion in GDP in one particular year.

She adds that buyers could really feel that loss when they go to the shop.

“A lot of the goods and solutions that you rely on on a day to day basis may well turn into extra highly-priced or may well turn into significantly less readily available.”

But, supporters of the new immigration laws say the bill may well bring some relief to residents.

In a statement sent to WMFE, the Federation for American Immigration Reform mentioned, “Illegal immigration expenses Florida taxpayers more than $eight billion dollars annually, which means each and every household has a economic burden of just beneath a thousand dollars. These charges come from education, legal, healthcare, and all other charges linked with supporting illegal immigrants in Floridian communities.”

Nonetheless, Knight mentioned undocumented workers also place dollars back into the economy.

“No matter if or not you have been granted legal status, you are nevertheless paying your taxes. And we have an estimate from a couple of years ago, displaying that undocumented immigrants contributed virtually $600 million annually to Florida state and nearby taxes.”

She adds that Florida’s new immigration laws will have a substantial influence on the economy as it creates a culture of worry, which could influence no matter whether persons continue to move to the state to function.

“Currently we’re seeing on social media, and even in news reports, persons are just deciding to leave and not show up for function due to the fact there is a culture of worry and a chilling impact,” Knight mentioned. “Regardless of what it says particularly in the bill, there is the broader implications of how it tends to make persons really feel.”

Demographics

According to the Florida Policy Institute, extra than one particular in 5 residents in the state are immigrants.

Knight mentioned that represents 21% of the state’s population at four.three million persons.

“In Central Florida as properly, we have a substantial immigrant population, representing about 15% of the population. And in some counties it is significantly extra. For instance, in Orange County, it is 22% of the population.”

She adds in Florida, the top rated 5 nations exactly where immigrants are coming from are Cuba, Haiti, Colombia, Mexico, and Jamaica.

“We basically have the second highest share of Black immigrants in the United States. New York is the state that has the highest.”

When you appear at the makeup of Florida’s economy, Knight mentioned there is a substantial presence of immigrants in crucial industries.

She points to the COVID-19 pandemic exactly where extra than one particular in 4 frontline workers in Florida had been immigrants.

“These are in sectors like well being care, youngster care, social solutions, and transit, and all the many diverse frontline industries.”

She adds that the state also relies on 150,000 to 200,000 migrant and seasonal farmworkers annually.

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