Florida advances bill allowing teens to replace undocumented workers

A Florida Senate committee has advanced a bill that would eliminate restrictions on how many hours 16- and 17-year-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 918 argue that removing work-hour restrictions for teens could help fill these gaps, while opponents warn that students could be exploited or overworked.