Possible anti-immigrant threat to tourism in Miami

Florida prepares to debate a controversial anti-immigration law that would tighten controls on illegal immigrants and shake the economy of the U.S. southern state

The rule proposes to request verification of immigration status of applicants for public benefits or are arrested for alleged crimes, but many fear will also have effects on agriculture, hospitality and other industries that depend largely on the migrant labor.

The project, known as SB2040, generated demonstrations against building outside the state legislature, located in the city of Tallahassee, which has led to the Senate Republican majority, to postpone the meeting for Tuesday.

Legends "We too are America" ​​and "The founding fathers had papers?" In the hands of dozens of children and advocates for the undocumented, were part of a peaceful protest by those who claim that they want to see Florida " Arizona converted into another. "

Is that the standard has been based partly on the highly controversial Arizona law, passed in April 2010, which marked an escalation in the immigration debate in the country (although several of its provisions have not entered into force, blocked by court federal).

The proposal includes the use floridana E-verify system, which would be mandatory check against federal databases if a potential employee has a work permit, a procedure that is performed today, according to various business organizations-estimated in only 4% of recruitment.

Business opposition

Critics argue that, in practice, the law become an entrepreneur in an immigration officer, required to report irregularities and subject to punishment in case of endorsing illegal employment. Particularly affect businesses that rely on seasonal workers, many of whom are Hispanic and undocumented.

"The immigrants coming here are primarily concerned in these industries: 25% of farmers are not native-born Americans and 19% of gardeners and landscapers and 17% of construction workers"

Foundation of the Florida House

It is no coincidence that the chambers of commerce have raised your voice: what is at stake is an economy that moves U.S. $ 737,000 million a year, according to a report of the Foundation of the Florida House (FCF) in a jurisdiction with a population of at least 700,000 undocumented, according to the Migration Policy Institute, behind only California and Texas.

According to the study of the FCF, which was seen by BBC World, is the "economic triad" which is based on Florida's economy which is endangered: agriculture, construction and tourism. Together, the three sectors employ nearly a million and half people and represent 12% of gross state domestic product.

"The immigrants coming here are primarily concerned in these industries: 25% of farmers are not native-born Americans and 19% of gardeners and landscapers and 17% of construction workers," says the document.

The projections of the financial consultant Perryman Group anticipate that if all illegal aliens were deported, Miami would lose revenues of U.S. $ 43,000 million and more than 262,000 jobs.

Destination ¿undesirable?

"I am very concerned about these laws Arizona style in our legislature. If one is approved, it will be devastating for tourism, public safety and quality of life"

Tomas Regalado, head of the city of Miami.

But it is the pearl of the "sunshine state" what worries: the tourism industry, which has made the beaches of Florida as a desirable destination for holidays and corporate events.

The mayors of the region surveyed by BBC World, believe that the image of a state unfriendly to foreigners may affect the arrival of the 80 million visitors who arrive each year and have called on lawmakers to vote against the proposals .

"I am very concerned about these laws Arizona style in our legislature. If one is approved, it will be devastating for tourism, public safety and quality of life," said Tomas Regalado, head of the city of Miami.

"Our city and our state are so vibrant because we had the ability to absorb and reflect the best of the cultures of our residents and visitors," added his pair of Miami Beach, Matti Herrera.

Reform needed

However, those who oppose SB2040 not rule out the need to reform the immigration system, while claiming that it should be a fundamental transformation at the addressed