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Nuevo proyecto de ley de Florida – FL 1718
Denice Flores • November 3, 2023
Click here to read this article in English
El gobernador Ron DeSantis del estado de Florida firmó un nuevo proyecto de ley que entrará en vigor el 1 de julio de 2023.
FL 1718 es una ley
que afectará a todos los residentes de Florida, no sólo a los inmigrantes indocumentados. La nueva ley restringirá la capacidad de las personas indocumentadas de vivir y trabajar en el estado de Florida.
En resumen, FL 1718:
- Penalizar el acto de transportar a un individuo indocumentado a Florida.
- Exigir a los hospitales que recopilen información sobre el estado migratorio de los pacientes.
- Exigir a los empleadores de Florida que documenten los procedimientos de verificación de empleo para fines de la ley estatal, exige la participación de E-Verify para la mayoría de los empleadores de Florida y crea sanciones separadas para las infracciones.
- Restringir el acceso a licencias de conducir y profesionales de Florida.
- Empoderar al estado de Florida para participar en la aplicación de las leyes federales de inmigración.
FL 1718 tipificará como delito grave que una persona transporte consciente e intencionalmente a otra persona, incluido un menor, que ingresó a los Estados Unidos en violación de la ley y que no fue inspeccionada por las autoridades de inmigración desde que ingresó a los EE. UU., al estado de Florida. FL 1718 no penalizará vivir con, albergar, alquilar o transportar personas indocumentadas dentro del estado de Florida.
FL 1718 requerirá que los hospitales que aceptan Medicaid pregunten en los formularios de admisión del paciente, el estado legal del paciente. Esto significa que el formulario preguntará si el paciente es ciudadano estadounidense, residente permanente legal o indocumentado. Los formularios deben incluir una opción donde el paciente puede optar por negarse a responder.
FL 1718 tipificará como delito estatal emplear, contratar, reclutar o recomendar, a sabiendas, para sí mismo o en nombre de otro, para un empleo público o privado a un ciudadano extranjero que no esté autorizado a trabajar en los EE. UU. Un empleador también será un delito estatal. Está prohibido emplear a un trabajador indocumentado después de tener conocimiento de que un individuo es o se ha vuelto indocumentado. Las violaciones pueden resultar en la revocación de la licencia comercial estatal del empleador y multas.
El proyecto de ley también establecerá sanciones penales para una persona indocumentada y no autorizada que utilice documentos de identificación falsos o que utilice los documentos de identificación de otra persona para trabajar.
Los empleadores con 25 empleados o más deberán utilizar E-Verify para todos los empleados nuevos y los empleadores deben conservar una copia de la documentación proporcionada para E-Verify. Los empleadores deberán verificar la elegibilidad laboral de cada nuevo empleado dentro de los 3 días hábiles posteriores al primer día laboral del nuevo empleado. Los empleadores también deberán conservar la verificación de E-Verify durante los últimos 3 años para los empleados.
Para hacer cumplir los nuevos requisitos de E-Verify, a partir del 1 de julio de 2024, las autoridades estatales estarán autorizadas a realizar auditorías aleatorias de las empresas y podrán solicitar copias de la documentación del empleador para verificar el empleo de los empleados. Se podrán imponer sanciones por incumplimiento.
FL 1718 prohibirá a los condados y municipios financiar la emisión de documentos de identificación a una persona que no proporcione prueba de presencia legal en los EE. UU. Nota: se podrán emitir documentos, pero no se permitirá la financiación gubernamental.
Las licencias de conducir emitidas por otros estados a personas que no pueden presentar prueba de presencia legal no serán válidas en el estado de Florida. Las autoridades estatales deben citar a cualquier persona que conduzca con dicha licencia.
Otros impactos que tendrá esta nueva ley son que a partir del 1 de noviembre de 2028, habrá restricciones para que los beneficiarios de DACA y otras personas indocumentadas sean admitidos en el Colegio de Abogados de Florida; Las autoridades estatales que tengan “la custodia de una persona debido a la “emisión de una orden de detención de inmigración por parte de una agencia federal de inmigración”' deberán tomar muestras de ADN de la persona; la ley prohibirá que una entidad gubernamental estatal o local, o una agencia de aplicación de la ley, restrinja a una agencia de aplicación de la ley en el envío de información de elegibilidad laboral a una agencia federal de inmigración.
Es importante estar informado sobre esta nueva ley que entrará en vigor el 1 de julio de 2023. Si cree que puede verse afectado por esta ley, debe hablar con un abogado.
Este blog no pretende ser asesoramiento legal y nada aquí debe interpretarse como el establecimiento de una relación abogado-cliente. Programe una consulta con un abogado de inmigración antes de actuar según cualquier información leída aquí.
All people living in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have certain U.S. constitutional rights. If Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers come to your workplace, they must have either (1) a valid search warrant, or (2) consent from your employer to enter non-public areas. Non-public areas could include: staff break rooms, server rooms, mechanical rooms, HR department offices, private meeting rooms, etc. However, ICE can enter public areas of your workplace (lobby, reception area, parking lot etc.) without a warrant or consent from your employer. If you encounter ICE at your place of employment, it is important to stay calm . If an officer stops you, you may ask if you are free to leave. If they say yes, walk away calmly. If they say no, stay where you are and do not attempt to leave. You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to speak to ICE, answer any questions, or show any documents . If asked about your place of birth, how you entered the United States, or your immigration status, you may refuse to answer or remain silent. If you choose to remain silent, say it out loud: “I choose to remain silent.” If officers ask you to stand in a group based on your immigration status, you do not have to move. Be prepared to assert your rights by downloading, printing, and carrying a "red card" (available at https://www.ilrc.org/red-cards-tarjetas-rojas ) that states you do not wish to speak, answer questions, or sign documents. You are not required to show immigration documents . You may refuse to show identity documents that reveal your nationality or citizenship. However, never show false documents or provide false information. If you are detained or taken into custody, you have the right to contact a lawyer immediately . Even if you do not have a lawyer, you can tell immigration officers, “I want to speak to a lawyer.” If you have a lawyer, you have the right to speak to them and, if possible, provide proof of this relationship (such as a signed Form G-28) to an officer. If you do not have a lawyer, ask for a list of pro bono (free) or l ow bono (low-cost) lawyers. You do not have to sign anything without first speaking to a lawyer. If you choose to sign any documents, make sure you fully understand what they mean, as signing may waive your rights or lead to deportation. If you believe your rights have been violated , write down what happened. Be sure to include specific details such as names, badge numbers, and exactly what was said and done. Report the violation to a lawyer or an immigrant rights organization as soon as possible. If you or someone you know may be impacted by this executive order, staying informed and understanding your rights is crucial. At Santos Lloyd Law Firm, P.C., our trusted immigration attorneys are available to provide guidance and support during this uncertain time. Please contact us if you need assistance.
If you’ve recently received the exciting news that your O-1 visa has been approved, congratulations! The O-1 is a prestigious visa, granted only to individuals who can demonstrate extraordinary ability in their field — whether it’s O-1A: individuals with an extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business, or athletics, or O-1B: individuals with an extraordinary ability in the arts or extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry. Getting O-1 approval is no small feat, and it’s a true validation of your talent and hard work. But for many O-1 visa holders, that approval brings up the next big question — what’s the path to securing a green card? For those aiming to remain in the United States permanently, the EB-1A visa is often the natural next step. It’s also known as the green card for individuals of extraordinary ability, which makes it a close cousin to the O-1. Obtaining U.S. permanent residency through EB-1A involves two steps: 1) securing approval of the EB-1A immigration petition (Form 1-40) and 2) adjusting status to that of permanent resident or seeking consular processing. However, while these two categories share similarities, they are not identical. The EB-1A standard is significantly higher, and many O-1 holders underestimate just how much more evidence they need to present to qualify for permanent residency. The good news is, if you’re proactive and strategic about building your case, you can significantly improve your chances of success. Understanding the Difference Between O-1 and EB-1A Both the O-1 and EB-1A visas focus on individuals with extraordinary ability, but they serve different purposes. The O-1 is a temporary work visa that allows you to come to the U.S. to work on specific projects or for a particular employer. It requires a U.S. sponsor to file the petition on your behalf. The EB-1A, by contrast, is an immigrant visa — it is the first step toward obtaining permanent residency. Because the EB-1A leads to permanent residency, its eligibility standards are even higher. You must not only demonstrate extraordinary ability but also show that your recognition is sustained over time and that your work has had a lasting impact on your field. What Can You Reuse From Your O-1 Case? If you put together a strong O-1 petition, some of the evidence you submitted will still be valuable for EB-1A. This includes your awards, media coverage, expert letters, and proof of memberships in prestigious organizations. But the EB-1A demands more — you need to go beyond showing what you’ve accomplished and prove that your influence is ongoing, impactful, and recognized at a national or international level. How to Strengthen Your Case While on O-1 One of the smartest moves you can make is to use your time on the O-1 visa to actively strengthen your EB-1A profile. This means seeking out opportunities to get your work featured in top-tier media, publishing more original contributions, judging competitions, and taking leadership roles in your professional community. Every action you take to enhance your visibility and influence. Final Thoughts — The Path from O-1 to EB-1A is Achievable You may not be able to file your EB-1A today, but we can help you build your case step by step. Whether you need guidance on strengthening your profile, identifying the right evidence, or preparing a strategic filing plan, our team is here to support you. If you’re currently on an O-1 visa and you believe you may be eligible for an EB-1A visa in the future, we encourage you to contact our office. Our experienced attorneys have helped countless individuals successfully navigate this path, and we would be happy to review your case and create a personalized roadmap for your green card journey.
In January 2025, the U.S. government introduced a mandate requiring all individuals without legal status in the country to register with federal authorities. This initiative aims to enhance national security and ensure compliance with existing immigration laws. If you or someone you know is affected by this change, it's essential to understand the specifics of this requirement and how to comply. Who Is Already Registered? Many individuals have already fulfilled their registration obligations through prior interactions with U.S. immigration authorities. You are considered registered if you have been issued any of the following documents: Lawful Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) Form I-94 or I-94W (Arrival/Departure Record), even if the period of admission has expired Immigrant or nonimmigrant visa issued before arrival Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Border Crossing Card Additionally, if you have applied for lawful permanent residence using forms such as I-485, I-687, I-691, I-698, or I-700, even if the applications were denied, or if you were paroled into the U.S. under INA 212(d)(5), you have met the registration requirement. Who Needs to Register Now? If you have not been registered through any of the means mentioned above, you are required to register under the new mandate. This includes: Individuals aged 14 or older who were not registered and fingerprinted when applying for a visa and have remained in the U.S. for 30 days or longer. They must apply before the expiration of those 30 days. Parents or legal guardians of children under 14 who have not been registered and have been in the U.S. for 30 days or longer. They must register their children before the 30-day period ends. Any individual who turns 14 years old in the U.S. and was previously registered. They must apply for re-registration and fingerprinting within 30 days after their 14th birthday. Notably, American Indians born in Canada who entered the U.S. under section 289 of the INA and members of the Texas Band of Kickapoo Indians who entered under the Texas Band of Kickapoo Act are exempt from this requirement. How to Register The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is developing a new form and process for registration. Starting February 25, 2025 , individuals required to register should create a USCIS online account in preparation for the registration process. Once the process is implemented, registrations will be submitted through this online account. Important Considerations Registration Is Not an Immigration Status: Completing the registration does not grant any immigration status, employment authorization, or other rights or benefits under U.S. law. Consequences of Non-Compliance: Failure to comply with the registration requirement may result in fines, imprisonment, or both. At Santos Lloyd Law Firm, P.C., we are committed to guiding you through this process with compassion and expertise. Our trusted immigration lawyers are here to provide the information and assistance you need during this time. For personalized guidance and support, please contact Santos Lloyd Law Firm, P.C., and speak with one of our experienced immigration attorneys. We are dedicated to helping you navigate these changes and securing a hopeful future.
