Research
Florida Immigration Policies Project
The Florida Immigration Policies Project is a collaborative research study conducted by researchers at the Im/migrant Well-Being Research Center in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Florida (USF). It was supported by a grant made by the USF College of Arts and Sciences, Centers and Institutes. We thank several non-profit organizations for supporting our recruitment efforts, such as Faith in Florida, Mujeres Restauradas por Dios, Hispanic Services Council, and NicerFL.
Study Goals
Primary Objective:
- To investigate how Florida's immigration policies affect immigrants' well-being, focusing
on:
- Access to services like healthcare and education
- Social integration and participation in the community
- Employment opportunities and financial stability
- Psychological well-being in light of policy changes
The project team surveyed immigrants from Argentina, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Spain, Trinidad/Caribbean Islands, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Vietnam to understand the effects of Florida’s Senate Bill 1718, signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2023.
We hope to share the insights of our findings with policy-makers, advocates, counselors, the academic community, and community members to address the needs and experiences of immigrants as they adapt to this law.
Key Findings from the Survey
- Economic Impact: Many immigrants reported heightened economic stress under SB 1718. Non-citizens faced the highest challenges in securing and maintaining employment, although a significant portion of U.S. citizens expressed concerns about their job situation. The law prompted workers in critical sectors, like agriculture and hospitality, to leave Florida, contributing to economic instability.
- Healthcare Access: Fear of legal repercussions influenced participants’ willingness to seek healthcare, particularly among non-U.S. citizens, who reported heightened hesitation. U.S. citizens also expressed some reluctance.
- Family Separation: Concerns about family separation due to detention or deportation emerged as a significant issue, with many non-U.S. citizens and U.S. citizens alike expressing these fears. This highlights the spillover effects felt by mixed-status families and the wider community implications of immigration enforcement.
- Psychological Well-Being: The Kessler Distress Scale (K6) revealed notable levels of psychological distress among participants. Non-U.S. citizens were particularly affected, with many reporting moderate to severe distress, while U.S. citizens also indicated considerable levels of distress.