On July 1st, two anti-immigrant laws came into effect in the United States: SB 1718 in Florida, proclaimed by Governor Ron DeSantis, and HB 2350 in Kansas, promoted by the state government. Both legislative projects could put the migrant community residing in these territories at risk.

Florida's law could lead to sentences of up to five years in prison for individuals transporting migrants in the state. Furthermore, the legislation stipulates that businesses will have to verify the immigration status of their workers and allows authorities to penalize those employing "unauthorized foreigners."

On the other hand, Kansas' law seeks to punish individuals who transport, harbor, or hide people who are illegally present in the state under the crime of human trafficking.

How will these laws affect migrants?

The law approved by DeSantis has raised concerns among migrant workers in Florida, as it could make them more vulnerable and subject to exploitation. Meanwhile, the measures approved in Kansas will impact families with members who have different legal statuses, such as undocumented individuals, semi-legal residents, or U.S. citizens.

The Government of Mexico has rejected both anti-immigrant laws, considering that they may lead to acts of discrimination, racial profiling, and abuses against the Hispanic, Latino, and Mexican communities. For this reason, Mexico's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that it will reinforce protection and legal advisory actions to defend the rights of Mexicans in Florida and Kansas.