To listen to the accompanying audio stories, click here.
Florida’s recent enactment of Senate Bill 1718 has sent shockwaves through the state, signifying a profound shift in immigration policy. Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature on this legislation tightens restrictions, affecting industries like agriculture and construction that heavily rely on immigrant labor. This law, designed to enforce stringent measures, poses significant economic risks, potentially causing a $12.6 billion drop in Florida’s GDP in a single year.
Immigrants, constituting approximately 21% of the state’s population, find themselves at the intersection of economic considerations, family dynamics and the evolving consequences of immigration policies. The law’s impact reverberates across diverse sectors, from personal stories like those of Abby Ruiz, a social media influencer, fearing the loss of opportunities, to the broader implications explored by experts and advocates.
This documentary captures the voices of those directly impacted by SB1718 and sheds a light on the nuanced challenges faced by immigrants and their families and how this law reshapes the economic landscape and challenges the foundational ideals of the American Dream.
