Regarding SB1718, signed on May 10, 2023 by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, which is expected to go into effect on July 1, 2023, the Consulate General of Mexico in Miami and the Consulate of Mexico in Orlando, on behalf of the Government of Mexico, express the government’s repudiation of measures that lead to acts of discrimination and racial profiling.
While the Government of Mexico respects the processes and measures taken by state legislatures in the United States, it believes that SB1718 will affect the human rights of thousands of Mexicans, including children, and will exacerbate hostile environments, which may lead to hate crimes and acts against the migrant community. The measure does not reflect the migrants’ valuable contribution to the economy, society and culture of Florida and the country.
Criminalization is not the way to solve the issue of undocumented immigration. The existence of transnational labor markets, and the intense ties of trade and tourism between Mexico and Florida, cannot be overlooked by measures inspired by xenophobic and white nationalist sentiments.
Policies such as these also have a strong impact on the bilateral relationship between Mexico and the United States, given that they demonstrate the reluctance of some actors to find joint solutions that invite collaboration. Both countries have made efforts to work together to build pathways of tolerance, security and respect. SB1718 distances them from these efforts, and provokes feelings of intimidation and fear in the migrant community.
On behalf of the Government of Mexico, the Foreign Ministry will use all resources at its disposal to defend the rights and dignity of the Mexicans in Florida. We will be enhancing our consular assistance and protection and legal advice, and we will continue to look out for the interests of our entire community, regardless of their immigration status.
With the support of civil society organizations involved in defending human rights, Mexico will identify and register potential cases of violations of the rights of Mexican nationals. It will inform the migrant community and publicize the effects of SB1718 through community forums. The Government of Mexico will provide personalized guidance to any affected individuals, mainly through the 24-hour service of the Center for Information and Assistance for Mexicans (CIAM, tel.: 1-520 623 7874) and the Legal Assistance Program for Mexicans, part of the External Legal Assistance Program (PALE) in the United States.
Mexico’s consular staff will be trained in the scope of SB1718, and in publicizing messages and recommendations through the "Know and Exercise Your Rights" strategy, which seeks to educate our community about their basic rights, in order to provide the highest level of support to victims who take legal actions against acts of harassment, violence, abuse, discrimination of all kinds and racial profiling.
These actions are the part of the Mexican Government's strategy to demand respect for human rights and to continue to look after the interests and wellbeing of all Mexicans abroad, regardless of their immigration status.