Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia announced a sweeping new legislative agenda on Wednesday aimed at disincentivizing illegal immigration, proposing strict new barriers regarding commercial licensing, workers’ compensation, and financial services.
Speaking in St. Augustine, Ingoglia outlined a platform designed to tighten state-level controls on undocumented migrants. The proposals range from mandating English-only instruction for commercial drivers to cutting off access to state housing assistance.
“Illegal immigration has scourged our communities,” Ingoglia said during the announcement. “Too many lives have been lost, and too many people have been hurt as a result of illegal immigration. Florida has led the nation in fighting back… but we must keep our foot on the gas.”
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A centerpiece of the proposed legislation targets the commercial transportation sector. Under the new plan, all instruction, testing, and licensing procedures for Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) would be prohibited in any language other than English.
The CFO also signaled a major shift in how the state handles workplace injuries involving undocumented labor. The legislation seeks to remove illegal aliens as “covered employees” under Florida’s Workers’ Compensation statute. Consequently, companies that hire undocumented workers would be forced to pay out-of-pocket for any injuries those workers sustain, rather than relying on insurance. To enforce this, companies would be required to use the E-Verify system when submitting any Workers’ Compensation claim.
Ingoglia’s package extends into the financial sector as well. The proposals would ban the use of IDs issued to undocumented immigrants for opening bank accounts at state-chartered financial institutions or obtaining cashier’s checks. Additionally, these individuals would be barred from receiving any license issued by the Department of Financial Services.
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Housing and insurance regulations are also set for an overhaul under the plan. The legislation would prohibit undocumented immigrants from accessing Down Payment Assistance programs or silent second home mortgage programs. In a notable shift regarding liability, the proposal would force insurance companies covering undocumented immigrants to accept fault if the individual is involved in a car accident within the state.
Several state leaders joined Ingoglia to back the measures, framing them as public safety necessities.
“The far-reaching impacts of illegal immigration have been felt by every community,” said St. Johns County Sheriff Robert Hardwick. “We must continue to take steps to protect the citizens of our state.”
State Representative Kiyan Michael echoed the sentiment, citing personal experience with the issue. “In Florida, we have leaders who are not afraid to take a stand and do what is right to protect the law-abiding citizens,” Michael stated.
Ingoglia indicated he intends to work closely with Governor Ron DeSantis and the state legislature to pass the proposals in the upcoming session.
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