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THURSDAY MARCH 27, 2025
Out with Immigrants, In with Teens? Florida pushes bill that could replace undocumented workers A Florida Senate committee on Tuesday voted to advance a bill that would eliminate restrictions on how many hours 16- and 17year-olds can work, a move aligned with Gov. Ron DeSantis’ push to replace undocumented migrant labor with a younger, domestic workforce. Florida’s economy has long relied on immigrant labor, particularly from the Caribbean and Latin America, to sustain key industries such as hospitality, agriculture, and construction. Many workers from Haiti, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Central America take on physically demanding jobs that offer low wages and long hours, roles
that have historically been difficult to fill with U.S.-born workers. Hotels and resorts depend on immigrant labor for housekeeping, maintenance, and restaurant staffing, while construction companies rely on them for roofing, drywall installation, and other manual labor. In the agricultural sector, migrant workers play a crucial role in harvesting citrus, tomatoes, and other crops, while many also work in home health care, providing essential services for the elderly and disabled. With Florida’s recent immigration crackdown, some businesses have struggled to find workers. Last year, the state enacted a strict E-Verify law, requiring large employers to verify workers’ legal status through a federal database. As a result, many undocumented workers left the state, leading to labor shortages in industries that have long relied on immigrant workers. Supporters of Senate Bill continues on B4 – In with teens
Data shows more Jamaicans in the diaspora choosing to return home 20% RISE An increasing number of Jamaicans living abroad are choosing to return home, according to the latest data from the Jamaica Customs Department. Provisional figures for 2023 show that 943 Jamaicans voluntarily returned to the island, a notable rise from 789 in 2022 and 867 in 2021. The majority of these returnees came from the United States (575), followed by the UK (162), Canada
(131), and other locations (75). This trend suggests that more members of the Jamaican diaspora are seeing opportunities and benefits in resettling in their homeland. Economic improvements, family reunification, and a desire to reconnect with their cultural roots could be driving factors behind this growing movement. Meanwhile, the number of
Data for 2023 shows that 943 Jamaicans voluntarily returned to the island, a notable rise from 789 in 2022 and 867 in 2021.
involuntary returned migrants has remained relatively stable, with 574 reported in 2023. The majority came from the United States (360), followed by other countries (140), Canada (45), and the UK (29). In contrast, involuntary returns stood at 568 in 2022 and 501 in 2021, a significant drop from 2019 when figures peaked at 1,051. The Jamaica Customs Department notes that only one
adult member of a returning family is required to register, which suggests the actual number of returnees may be higher than recorded. Additionally, no data was received from the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Police Statistics Department for involuntary returned migrants, with estimates being calculated using
continues on B3 – Return home
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