Community Leaders Unite to Champion The Welcoming Florida Act, Paving the Way for Inclusivity and Progress
Release – Yesterday, at the Miami Workers Center, a coalition of esteemed community organizations, including the Florida Immigrant Coalition, Miramar Haitian-American Residents and Business Owners, Our Lady of Guadalupe National Catholic Church, Southern Poverty Law Center Action Fund, the Asian American Federation of Florida, and the Miami Freedom Project, stood united in support of The Welcoming Florida Act (HB 1527, SB 1598). The press conference, hosted by the We Are Florida coalition, showcased the leader’s perspectives on the significance of this transformative legislative proposal, aiming to foster inclusivity, prosperity, and unity across the state.
Norma Uriostegui, representing the Miami Workers Center, emphasized the critical role of immigrant workers from Latin America and the Caribbean in various sectors, particularly domestic work. She articulated, “We organize mainly domestic workers, among other immigrant workers in different sectors, and our base of workers is from all parts of Latin America and the Caribbean. Many of them have mixed status; some have lived here for 20 years or more, cleaning and caring for homes, caring for families, newborns, and the elderly, and doing what needs to be done at home so that all the other jobs outside the home can be done become possible.”
Uriostegui further highlighted the exploitation faced by these workers due to informal employment contracts and discrimination based on immigration status, emphasizing the urgent need for legislative action to protect their rights. She emphasized, “This bill seeks to combat exploitation, prohibiting discrimination by employers based on immigration status. Any worker exploited or taken advantage of due to informal employment contracts will worsen the conditions of all workers in this state.”
Farah Larrieux, Chairperson of the Miramar Haitian-American Residents and Business Owners, shared her journey as a TPS recipient from Haiti and underscored the transformative impact The Welcoming Florida Act could have on thousands of immigrants. Larrieux expressed, “It is with a sense of hope and like fresh air that I received the announcement of the Welcoming Florida Act. As a TPS recipient from Haiti who moved to the U.S. in 2005, I have experienced firsthand the discrimination against black and brown immigrants, particularly in Florida, despite our contribution to the U.S.”
Larrieux emphasized the need for comprehensive reforms to address the challenges immigrants face, including access to education and financial assistance. She asserted, “If passed, Welcoming Florida Act will change my life. It will improve college access for TPS recipients like me by expanding financial aid and tuition assistance criteria so more Floridians are eligible to apply and receive assistance, regardless of immigration status.”
Ana Sofia Pelaez, co-founder and executive director of Miami Freedom Project, spoke passionately about the transformative potential of The Welcoming Florida Act, drawing from her own family’s experience as immigrants from Cuba. She stated, “With this bill, the Welcoming Florida Act – and in Miami-Dade County – we know the effect it will have because we’ve lived it. We know the richness and cultural vibrancy it will bring to our city and state and the growth of our local economies. By extending the welcome that was given to my family when they came from Cuba in the 1960s – we can ensure immigrants can access employment that will help them resettle and begin to contribute as they want to and always have, have access to childcare and public education, financial aid for re-certification and continued education so they can resume their career paths and pursue their professional aspirations, that they are protected from discrimination and predatory fraud practices targeting them at their most vulnerable time. We are Florida! Let’s stop pretending we’re less than we are, that we can’t do big things, that we won’t all be better and stronger for fully embracing our immigrant communities.”
The Welcoming Florida Act, filed by House Representative Dotie Joseph and State Senator Victor Torres, embodies a visionary approach to shaping Florida’s future, rooted in inclusivity, prosperity, and unity. This crucial legislation seeks to reverse years of anti-immigrant policies, protect vulnerable immigrants from exploitation and fraud, ensure every child’s fundamental right to education, and provide relief to businesses struggling with workforce deficiencies.
As Florida stands at a pivotal juncture, the collective voices of community leaders echo a resounding call for progress and unity, underscoring the imperative of embracing diversity and advancing policies that uplift all residents. The Welcoming Florida Act is a beacon of hope, illuminating a path towards a brighter, more inclusive future for the Sunshine State.