(Source : The Tallahassee Democrat) As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, concerns are rising in Florida over the potential impact of his proposed mass deportation plan for undocumented immigrants. With about 5% of Florida’s population – roughly 1.1 million people – living without legal permission, experts warn that the consequences of large-scale deportations could disrupt families, workplaces, and the state’s economy.
Key groups at risk include those living in Florida under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), asylum programs, or parole for migrants from countries like Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. The fate of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which has allowed thousands of young people to remain in the U.S., is also uncertain under the incoming administration.
Juan Carlos Gomez, a professor and immigration expert at Florida International University, emphasized the far-reaching effects of mass deportations on both the economy and Florida’s communities. “There are many people who are very afraid right now,” he said. “What will be the consequences to the economy, but also to people and families?”
Florida’s economy, particularly in industries like agriculture, construction, and tourism, relies heavily on immigrant labor, much of which is undocumented. In 2023, the state passed an immigration law aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration, leading to a significant exodus of immigrant workers. As a result, many businesses, especially in agriculture and hospitality, are already experiencing labor shortages.
Despite the looming threat of mass deportations, Florida’s Republican legislative leaders, including House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton, have deferred to the federal government on immigration policy, saying the issue is outside their jurisdiction.
The state’s financial reliance on undocumented workers is also significant. According to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, undocumented immigrants in Florida paid over $1.8 billion in state and local taxes in 2022. The removal of this workforce could significantly impact public funds, particularly Social Security, Medicare, and other federal programs, which benefit from taxes paid by undocumented workers who are not eligible for government services.
Additionally, the American Immigration Council has noted that 39% of undocumented households in Florida own their homes, and millions of mixed-status families—U.S. citizens living with undocumented relatives—could face displacement. The deportation of such individuals could uproot an estimated 1.6 million homeowners and disrupt families across the state.
While Trump has vowed to initiate mass deportations immediately upon taking office, some analysts believe many undocumented immigrants might “self-deport,” leaving the U.S. voluntarily rather than face forced removal. The concept of self-deportation was previously advocated by Mitt Romney during the 2012 Republican primary.
The full extent of the impact on Florida’s economy and communities will depend on the scope of Trump’s immigration policies, which could reshape life in the state for millions of residents in the coming months.
