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Florida County's Immigration Deal Squeezes Construction, Tourism Sectors
🇦🇷 Argentina /Culture & Society

Florida County's Immigration Deal Squeezes Construction, Tourism Sectors

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Florida's Walton County has intensified economic pressure on construction and tourism sectors through an agreement allowing local agents to enforce federal immigration laws.
  • A report indicates that each 1,000 immigrant detentions by ICE can lead to a 2.5% drop in employment for at-risk foreign-born individuals.
  • Contrary to promises of freeing up jobs for locals, the study also noted a 0.54% reduction in employment for U.S.-born men in areas with high ICE activity.

In Florida's Walton County, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency's operations, bolstered by a Section 287(g) agreement signed in 2025, are tightening the economic screws on the construction and tourism industries. This agreement empowers local law enforcement to carry out federal immigration enforcement duties. Under the impetus of Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida leads the nation in broad police cooperation with ICE.

Walton County's economy heavily relies on immigrant labor in both construction and tourism. An Immigration Research Initiative (IRI) report from July 27th highlights the economic fallout of ICE arrests. It found that every 1,000 immigrant detentions can cause a 2.5% decrease in employment among foreign-born individuals aged 20-64 with a maximum of a high school education. Immigrants often fill roles like laborers and roofers.

a jail

— AlfonsoA 36-year-old migrant described his perception of the United States due to increased ICE operations.

The study also revealed a 0.54% reduction in employment for U.S.-born men in areas with significant ICE activity, challenging the narrative that deportations create jobs for local workers. Migrant workers express fear of raids, with one 36-year-old migrant named Alfonso telling NPR reporter Jaclyn Díaz that he views the U.S. as a "jail." He has stopped attending church and going to the beach due to fear of ICE operations. Ronaldo, a construction worker in DeFuniak Springs, echoed this sentiment, stating, "In the end, we are not free here." He admitted to considering a return to his home country, despite limited opportunities there.

The Section 287(g) agreement itself is not a single program but encompasses three distinct models, as outlined by ICE's website. This content was produced by LA NACION with AI assistance.

In the end, we are not free here

— RonaldoA construction worker in DeFuniak Springs expressed his feelings about living in the U.S. under heightened immigration enforcement.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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