Mass Deportation and Florida Jobs

The state passed an E-Verify law. Job growth quickly declined

WSJ editorial. Excerpts:

"The Sunshine State’s job growth was consistently among the highest in the U.S. during the pandemic and the prior decade thanks to low taxes and a pro-business environment. Covid lockdowns in progressive states supercharged Florida’s population and workforce growth. But in May 2023, Florida Republicans passed legislation aimed at countering Joe Biden’s porous border policies.

The law’s centerpiece requires private employers with 25 or more employees to use the federal government’s E-Verify system to confirm the work authorization of new hires. Violations could result in $1,000 daily fines and suspension of a business’s license. Gov. Ron DeSantis claimed to be “fighting back against reckless federal government policies.”"

"the E-Verify mandate makes it harder for migrants to work to support themselves, and it adds a burden on employers. E-Verify can also be unreliable because it relies on federal records that aren’t always up to date."

"The state ranked 26th in the country in job growth over the past 12 months"

"One farmer told Spectrum News in early 2024 that he needed more workers to pick strawberries but that he purposefully limited the size of his workforce to less than 25 workers"