Very Strict on Immigration
Florida Immigration Policy 2026
Immigration laws, sanctuary status, E-Verify requirements, and how immigration shapes the political landscape in Florida ahead of 2026.
21.7%
Immigrant Population
Very Strict
Immigration Stance
Mandatory
E-Verify
DL: No
Undoc. Drivers License
Key Immigration Policies
| Sanctuary Status | Banned — preempts local sanctuary policies (SB 168) |
| E-Verify Requirement | Mandatory |
| Drivers License (Undocumented) | No |
| In-State Tuition (Undocumented) | No |
| Enforcement Approach | DeSantis deployed National Guard to border; SB 1718 (2023) strict enforcement |
Overview
Florida under DeSantis passed SB 1718 (2023), requiring all employers to use E-Verify, requiring hospitals to ask about immigration status, and increasing criminal penalties. DeSantis famously flew migrants to Martha\'s Vineyard and to Chicago.
2026 Political Impact
DeSantis made immigration a signature national issue during his presidential run. Florida has 4.4 million immigrants (22%) yet has enacted the strictest immigration enforcement policies of any large state. Immigration is a top issue in Florida elections.