During the last year, immigration policies have become stricter in order to control irregular migration, a situation that has led Texas, North Carolina and Florida to propose anti-immigrant laws.
Texas: HB20 Law
The new plan hopes to punish each undocumented crossing into Texas with fines of $10,000.
This law seeks to create a controversial border protection unit. It would allow civilians to join a group led by a chief appointed by the governor to "hunt" immigrants for deportation purposes.
North Carolina, HB10
In North Carolina, they are seeking to have agents and officials actively cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
According to Stefania Arteaga, an activist with Carolina Migrant, in counties like Mecklenburg, an initiative similar to HB-10 called 287(g), which operated between 2006 and 2018, resulted in 15,000 people being placed in deportation proceedings. Two out of every three of those people had been arrested for minor offenses, such as traffic violations.
Florida, Law SB1718
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB1718 on May 10, 2023, the strictest law against illegal immigration, which includes:
Mandatory use of the E-Verify system by employers to verify the work authorization of employees.
Prohibition of the use of driver's licenses from other states by undocumented people.
Severe penalties for transporting undocumented immigrants to Florida.
Requirement for hospitals to collect information on patients' immigration status during registration.
Learn about the organizations that provide resources and support to migrants:
Several national organizations provide valuable resources and support to immigrants in the USA. Here are some examples:
- The National Immigration Law Center (NILC) is a leading organization advocating for the rights of low-income immigrants. The NILC website offers a variety of resources, including guides on immigration law, immigrant rights, and access to healthcare and education.
- The ACLU's Immigrants' Rights Project protects immigrants' rights, challenges discriminatory policies, and provides legal support.
- United We Dream is the largest immigrant youth-led organization in the country. They advocate for the rights and dignity of immigrant communities, with a focus on immigrant youth.
- The National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (NNIRR) is a network of organizations and advocates committed to advancing the rights of immigrants and refugees. They work to challenge unjust immigration policies, promote immigrant rights, and support community initiatives.
Sources: Telemundo, Univision, Enlace Latino NC and La Noticia.