Florida’s Legislature is considering several immigration-related bills this session. While Republican-backed measures to expand enforcement are expected to dominate the agenda, given the Republican majority, Democratic lawmakers have filed bills to increase transparency and mitigate the impact on communities.
Related: “They Deserve to Be Home”: Apopka family pleads for the return of deported father and detained mother.
Rene Gomez, civic engagement coordinator for the Farmworker Association of Florida, said current enforcement actions are creating widespread fear and economic harm.
"Already seen cases in Florida where people are pulling people over, harassing people, pretending to be ICE agents when they’re not, this creates a public safety threat," Gomez said. "So we would just like it for the community to feel safe, as well as for law enforcement officers to be able to still have that trust in the community that we see that's just breaking down."
Senate Bill 316, known as the "VISIBLE Act", sponsored by Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, would require law enforcement officers to clearly identify themselves during public operations. A companion bill, House Bill 419, is sponsored by Rep. Angie Nixon, D-Jacksonville. Supporters of the bill cite cases of intimidation and impersonation across the country as evidence of the need for the measure. That includes one situation in Bay County where a woman posing as an ICE agent lured another woman under false pretenses.
The bill is backed by a coalition of civil rights, faith, immigrant justice, and community groups.
When it comes to the broader issue of immigration, Gomez said the focus should be on policies that support, not scare, Florida’s communities.
"Whenever there’s mention of possible immigration or even state troopers, when we go talk to the owners, they say they don’t get any clients for that day because people are scared to come out," Gomez said. "So it’s hurting the local economy, and it’s hurting anyone who lives in the community."
The bill comes amid ongoing legislative debates over immigration-related measures, including proposals to expand E-Verify requirements and limit university admissions for non-citizens. Gomez said policy decisions in Tallahassee have direct consequences for Florida’s workforce, economy, and community safety.
Key Points:
- Florida lawmakers are debating several immigration-related bills during the current legislative session.
- Senate Bill 316, the “VISIBLE Act,” would require officers to clearly identify themselves during public operations.
- The bill is sponsored by Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith (D-Orlando) with a companion bill, HB 419, filed by Rep. Angie Nixon (D-Jacksonville).
- Farmworker Association of Florida organizer Rene Gomez says fear of enforcement is hurting community safety and local business activity.
- The bill is backed by a coalition of civil rights, faith, immigrant justice, and community groups, as broader debates continue over E-Verify and access to higher education for non-citizens.
