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DEMONSTRATORS IN DOWNTOWN WEST PALM BEACH RALLY AGAINST NEW FLORIDA IMMIGRATION
LAW

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Updated: 4:41 PM EDT Jun 1, 2023
Steve King
Reporter
Demonstrators in Downtown West Palm Beach rally against new Florida immigration
law
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Updated: 4:41 PM EDT Jun 1, 2023
Advertisement
Demonstrators in Downtown West Palm Beach rally against new Florida immigration
law
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Updated: 4:41 PM EDT Jun 1, 2023
Steve King
Reporter

Hundreds of people gathered in Downtown West Palm Beach to protest against the
state’s new immigration law and some businesses across the area were closed on
Thursday as many workers stood up for the immigrant community and attended the
demonstration.Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25
While supporters say the new law combats illegal immigration, opponents say it’s
already hurting local businesses."My business has been at a little bit of a loss
since the new law was announced," said Josselin Casarrubias. "I know some
clients and friends are leaving, unfortunately."The demonstrators, who gathered
outside city hall before marching to the Palm Beach County courthouse, included
people from all over the world. Protesters say some people in the immigrant
community are leaving Florida because they’re worried about being separated from
their families.Related: Local businesses losing workers due to new Florida
immigration law"We come here for human rights," said Ken Yeung, a local business
owner. "We come here to support right and wrong, not to say, ‘Hey, illegal is
right.’ We’re totally against it but at the same time, a lot of families are
here illegally but a lot of families and a lot of children are here legally
already.""I have a lot of family and friends who are already starting to move
out of the state because they’re afraid that something is going to happen to
them, they’re going to get deported,” said Randy Chamu, who lives in
Loxahatchee.The new law, which goes into effect in July, expands the use of
E-Verify in the workplace. Hospitals will also be required to ask patients about
their immigration status and the new law makes it a felony to transport an
undocumented immigrant into Florida. Related: Health care providers concerned
about effects of new immigration law on migrant communitiesImmigrant community
members on Thursday said now members of the immigrant community are in fear of
what will happen to them because of SB 1718. "It's not fair for the backbone of
Florida, all the people who built Florida,” said Jesse Bustamante, who organized
Thursday's demonstration."I feel like this is leading to fascism,” Casarrubias
said. Two Unlimited Auto Wash locations, one in Jupiter and one in Palm Beach
Gardens, were among the businesses in Palm Beach County closed for the work
stoppage on Thursday. The owner, who says all of his employees are documented,
says he supports his workers who decided to take part in the demonstration."As a
business owner, we never like to see anything like this, but we do appreciate
their right to free speech and we respect their opinions if that’s what they
choose to do. It’s unfortunate they’ll lose a day’s pay, but it’s their right,”
said Kevin Dalton, the owner of Unlimited Auto Wash. Demonstrators say they plan
to be out in West Palm Beach for the two days as well.Also, right now, the
League of United Latin American Citizens has issued a travel advisory urging
immigrants not to travel to Florida due to the new immigration law. The National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Human Rights Campaign
have also issued travel advisories for Florida due to new legislation.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. —

Hundreds of people gathered in Downtown West Palm Beach to protest against the
state’s new immigration law and some businesses across the area were closed on
Thursday as many workers stood up for the immigrant community and attended the
demonstration.


Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25

Advertisement

While supporters say the new law combats illegal immigration, opponents say it’s
already hurting local businesses.


"My business has been at a little bit of a loss since the new law was
announced," said Josselin Casarrubias. "I know some clients and friends are
leaving, unfortunately."

The demonstrators, who gathered outside city hall before marching to the Palm
Beach County courthouse, included people from all over the world. Protesters say
some people in the immigrant community are leaving Florida because they’re
worried about being separated from their families.




Related: Local businesses losing workers due to new Florida immigration law

"We come here for human rights," said Ken Yeung, a local business owner. "We
come here to support right and wrong, not to say, ‘Hey, illegal is right.’ We’re
totally against it but at the same time, a lot of families are here illegally
but a lot of families and a lot of children are here legally already."

"I have a lot of family and friends who are already starting to move out of the
state because they’re afraid that something is going to happen to them, they’re
going to get deported,” said Randy Chamu, who lives in Loxahatchee.

The new law, which goes into effect in July, expands the use of E-Verify in the
workplace. Hospitals will also be required to ask patients about their
immigration status and the new law makes it a felony to transport an
undocumented immigrant into Florida.

Related: Health care providers concerned about effects of new immigration law on
migrant communities

Immigrant community members on Thursday said now members of the immigrant
community are in fear of what will happen to them because of SB 1718.

"It's not fair for the backbone of Florida, all the people who built Florida,”
said Jesse Bustamante, who organized Thursday's demonstration.

"I feel like this is leading to fascism,” Casarrubias said.

Two Unlimited Auto Wash locations, one in Jupiter and one in Palm Beach Gardens,
were among the businesses in Palm Beach County closed for the work stoppage on
Thursday. The owner, who says all of his employees are documented, says he
supports his workers who decided to take part in the demonstration.

"As a business owner, we never like to see anything like this, but we do
appreciate their right to free speech and we respect their opinions if that’s
what they choose to do. It’s unfortunate they’ll lose a day’s pay, but it’s
their right,” said Kevin Dalton, the owner of Unlimited Auto Wash.

Demonstrators say they plan to be out in West Palm Beach for the two days as
well.

Also, right now, the League of United Latin American Citizens has issued a
travel advisory urging immigrants not to travel to Florida due to the new
immigration law. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
and the Human Rights Campaign have also issued travel advisories for Florida due
to new legislation.


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WPBF 25 WEST PALM BEACH


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