Florida moves to restrict benefits, licenses for undocumented residents

Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia has filed legislation aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration in the state. The measures, introduced as Senate Bill 1380 and House Bill 1307, would impose stricter rules on employment, licensing, and state benefits for undocumented residents.

Ingoglia said the legislation, filed on January 13, is intended to build on Florida’s existing measures against illegal immigration and to increase deterrents for individuals attempting to enter the state unlawfully.

The bills include provisions that would:

• Limit commercial driving license instruction, testing, and licensing to English only.

• Exclude illegal immigrants from coverage under the state Workers’ Compensation statute.

• Require employers who hire illegal immigrants to pay out-of-pocket for work-related injuries.

• Mandate use of E-Verify for Workers’ Compensation claims.

• Prohibit illegal immigrants from obtaining licenses from the Department of Financial Services.

• Block the use of illegal immigrant identification to open accounts or obtain cashier’s checks from state-chartered banks.

• Prevent illegal immigrants from accessing Down Payment Assistance programs and silent second home mortgage programs.

• Require insurance companies to accept fault if an illegal immigrant is involved in a car accident in Florida.

During a news conference in Winter Haven, Ingoglia also recognized several law enforcement offices for supporting federal immigration enforcement. “We have a network that flows through local and state governments in partnership with the federal government,” he said. “We will arrest and deport individuals in violation of the law because the first rule of government is to keep the people safe.”