Immigrants aren’t the only ones affected by immigration crackdowns. A new study indicates that Florida state law SB 1718 has caused psychological distress for U.S. citizens, reports Yacob Reyes of Axios Tampa Bay.
For people born elsewhere, fear of being deported and limitations on access to jobs and basic services cause anxiety. Among U.S. citizens, some reported "increased financial stress since the law passed," and "both noncitizens and U.S. citizens had considered leaving Florida due to the law," the study reads.
"Florida has become this smaller-scale experiment of cracking down on undocumented immigrants," said co-author Elizabeth Aranda of the University of South Florida. "As that goes nationwide, come this next administration, this study could foreshadow effects that we might see [across the U.S.]."
On the other side of the legislative equation, a major lobbying group representing Florida’s service and hospitality industry pushed in 2023 for policy that would allow undocumented workers to fill labor shortages, McKenna Schueler reports in Orlando Weekly.
Diverse industries are now bracing for potential worsening shortages and their financial effects. Caregiving is one, reports Tina Reed of Axios,and the construction sector also could be hit hard, per Elizabeth Findell and Gina Heeb of The Wall Street Journal.
"We will absolutely have a labor shortage," said George Fuller, a longtime Texas developer and the mayor of McKinney. "Whether you want to acknowledge it or not, these industries depend on immigrant labor."
I’m Dan Gordon, the Forum’s Strategic Communications VP, and the great Forum Daily team also includes Jillian Clark, Soledad Gassó Parker, Camilla Luong, Clara Villatoro and Becka Wall. If you have a story to share from your own community, please send it to me at [email protected].
DECLINING NUMBERS — The number of migrants arrested at the border decreased about 17% from October to November, reports Elliot Spagat of the Associated Press. Crossings also fell at the Canadian border. Camilo Montoya-Galvez of CBS News first reported on the preliminary lower numbers. In Reuters, Lizbeth Diaz reports that some migrants seeking refuge in the United States are debating returning to their home countries amid concern over President-elect Trump’s potential termination of legal-entry programs.
PROTECTIONS — In contrast to states employing hardline policies, some states and municipalities have taken measures to protect their immigrant populations. California’s policies can limit the state’s assistance with certain federal immigration enforcement efforts, but federal efforts can continue, reports Tyche Hendricks of KQED. In The Boston Globe, John Hilliard sheds light on how Massachusetts cities and towns are boosting protective measures.
TURNING TO FAITH — As Border Patrol agents face increasing stress and challenges in their work, more are seeking to become chaplains, Giovanna Dell'Orto of the Associated Press reports. Elsewhere on the faith front, Myal Greene of World Relief and Ryan Brown of Open Doors US write in a Christian Post op-ed that "[i]f President-elect Trump wants legally admitted immigrants who love America and also wants to defend persecuted Christians, he should love the U.S. refugee resettlement program." And in Baptist News Global, North Carolina minister Garry J. Crites advocates for cooler heads on immigration: "It is entirely possible to advocate for a secure border without demonizing every person seeking safety and refuge in this country."
