Businesses across Florida will close in solidarity with Latino workers who say they are being targeted by Governor Ron DeSantis’ new immigration law.
Protests took place across six Florida cities while some businesses across the state shut their doors Thursday in opposition to a tough, new immigration law pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is campaigning this week in Iowa and New Hampshire.
DeSantis last week formally announced his bid for the Republican presidential nomination. But just a couple of weeks earlier, he signed into law the sweeping crackdown on undocumented immigrants that is the subject of the protests.
“I’m trying to support all of the immigrant people,” said Victor Prado, general manager of El Mariachi restaurant in West Palm Beach, which was closed Thursday. “They come to this country to get a better life. We left everyone in our country to come to this beautiful country to live better.”
Esta noticia en Español: Empresas en Florida planean un paro de trabajo para protestar la nueva ley de inmigración
Prado, a native of Mexico, entered the U.S. more than two decades ago and has gained citizenship, running the family restaurant the past five years. But he said Florida’s new law will harm both immigrants and employers.
The measure, which takes effect July 1, is considered among the toughest steps taken by any state to deter illegal aliens. But it has been condemned by critics as cruel and potentially leading to law enforcement profiling.
In Tallahassee, Chile & Chili’s Taqueria announced on Instagram it would close on Thursday in protest of the immigration law, which imposes tough penalties and new restrictions on undocumented immigrants in Florida.
« We apologize to our clients as we join our Latino brothers, » the post reads.
The Florida protests are part of a nationwide effort led by Latino organizations opposing anti-immigration laws in several states and urging more comprehensive immigration reform by Congress. Demonstrations were planned for Jacksonville, Vero Beach, Orlando, Tampa and the farming communities of Immokalee and Pierson.
