Florida's Undocumented Workers Pay Taxes—And Keep the State Running

Florida's Undocumented Workers Pay Taxes—And Keep the State Running

For all the debate over immigration, let’s get one thing straight: undocumented immigrants in Florida pay taxes—to the tune of $1.8 billion annually in state and local taxes.

And that whole "Florida dollars should go to Floridians" argument? These ARE Floridians. They live here, work here, and contribute every day.

Who Are They?

They’re:

Harvesting Florida’s crops so we have fresh food.

Working in tourism to keep the state’s biggest industry alive.

Building homes and infrastructure that everyone benefits from.

They do the jobs no one else wants—for low wages and in unsafe conditions—all while paying taxes that fund schools, roads, and public services.

DACA Kids: The Dreamers Who Call Florida Home

Florida’s DACA recipients (young immigrants brought here as kids) and their families contribute $134.8 million in state taxes.

They grew up here. They went to Florida high schools. They love this country and are chasing the same American Dream as everyone else.

But instead of supporting them, some politicians want to strip away opportunities, making it harder for them to afford college and contribute even more to Florida’s economy.

This Used to Be Bipartisan. What Changed?

A decade ago, both parties supported measures to help Dreamers succeed. Now, it’s just another political talking point—at the expense of kids who did nothing wrong.

If Florida is serious about its economy, workforce, and future, it should invest in these young people—not shut the door on them.