by Javier Márquez
Editor’s note: Mosaic congregations in Florida requested that we share the impact of FL SB 1718 on their churches. Javier Márquez, Mosaic’s Spanish-language correspondent, wrote this article to share their experiences and perspectives on this legislation.
There is a new, controversial law that takes effect in Florida on July 1, 2023. This new law, SB 1718, increases measures of isolation and persecution of undocumented migrants in Florida. The law will force businesses with more than 25 employees to verify the immigration status of their workers. In addition, the law will prohibit the free mobilization and circulation of undocumented people by prohibiting the use of driving licenses that are not issued by the state of Florida, a measure that is also directly against the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in article 13: “Everyone has the right to move freely and to choose their residence in the territory of a State.”
These are dark moments for the church in Florida. It is not difficult for us to remember, as Christians, so many stories that have nourished our faith: when Christians were persecuted, when being a Christian was a crime and they took you to the Roman Colosseum to be killed by lions, when the disciples had to flee because the empire had captured and sentenced their Master to death.
The new law is designed at similar levels of injustice. These are dark moments, and that is why we need a church of light that is useful to society with real actions. The Mosaic congregations in Florida invite you to pray with them and for them.
Understanding FL 1718
by Eileen Kinch
Florida’s recent legislation, known as FL 1718, goes into effect on July 1, 2023. This legislation requires employers to check on the immigration status of potential employees.
The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 made it illegal for employers to knowingly hire undocumented workers. Some employers simply chose not to ask for documentation. FL 1718 now stiffly fines employers in Florida for not checking a federal database to determine potential employees’ immigration status. Employers can be fined $1,000 per day for not using the database in a certain time period.
FL 1718 also requires hospitals to ask about patients’ immigration status. According to the legislation, patients may choose not to answer the question on the form. Patients will not be denied healthcare however they respond. Hospitals send the statistics to the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration, which then estimates the amount of money spent on undocumented workers.
Florida’s new legislation also invalidates certain types of driver’s licenses issued to undocumented workers from 19 other states.
A summary of FL 1718 can be found here. For more information on understanding the bill, see American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Some updates from Mosaic congregations in Florida:
- “Here in Tampa (FL), there is also a lot of fear in our faith community. Our faith community is 95% immigrants; half have gone to other states,” shared Pastor Secundino Casas, Iglesia Evangélica Menonita Shalom (Shalom Evangelical Mennonite Church). “So, we try to respond to those who remain. We have invited an immigration lawyer to our church, to have guidance and first-hand information.”
- Pastor Marcos Acosta, pastor of Homestead (FL) Mennonite Church near Miami said, “I was meeting with local organizations and other pastors, and there is a lot of fear in general and bad information circulating on social networks. Last Saturday we organized a protest here in Homestead. We are trying to show support and provide information and be attentive to see how the law is applied. I also heard that here in Homestead, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been more active these last few weeks and that adds to the general fear that exists because of the law.”
- “Here at the Iglesia Menonita Encuentro de Renovación (Encounter for Renewal Mennonite Church) in Miami (FL), some brothers and sisters are planning to leave the state of Florida,” reported Pastor Andres Mendoza. “Let us ask God together to help them make good decisions and give them peace. One of these families has young daughters, and they are very afraid of being separated from their loved ones. Let us pray together to our God, so that he gives a way out of this situation. Thank you again for your support and your prayers. Peace of God.”
Javier Márquez
The opinions expressed in articles posted on Mosaic’s website are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy of Mosaic Conference. Mosaic is a large conference, crossing ethnicities, geographies, generations, theologies, and politics. Each person can only speak for themselves; no one can represent “the conference.” May God give us the grace to hear what the Spirit is speaking to us through people with whom we disagree and the humility and courage to love one another even when those disagreements can’t be bridged.