HB 1307 proposes severe financial and legal penalties, reigniting debate in the state’s large Haitian community
Tallahassee, FL – January 13, 2026 Haitian-American Republican State Representative Berny Jacques (R-Pinellas County) has filed House Bill 1307 (HB 1307), one of the most aggressive pieces of legislation targeting undocumented immigrants in Florida in recent years.
The bill, introduced on January 8, 2026, with a companion measure (Senate Bill 1380) filed by Sen. Jonathan Martin, seeks to eliminate what Jacques describes as “economic magnets” that sustain illegal immigration. Jacques, who was born in Port-au-Prince and immigrated legally to the U.S. at age 7 in 1994, has repeatedly framed his support for the measure around his family’s story of following legal pathways.
“My parents brought us here legally, followed every rule, and we succeeded because of it,” Jacques has said. “Florida must protect those who come the right way and remove incentives for those who don’t.”
Key Provisions of HB 1307
The legislation includes a wide range of restrictions and penalties:
- Prohibits undocumented immigrants from opening bank accounts, obtaining loans, accessing state-backed homeownership assistance, or receiving certain professional financial licenses.
- Bans remittances sent from Florida by individuals without legal status.
- Mandates all employers to use the federal E-Verify system to confirm work authorization.
- Imposes escalating penalties on businesses that hire unauthorized workers:
- First offense: $10,000 fine + 1-year license suspension
- Second offense: up to $100,000 fine + 5-year suspension
- Third offense: permanent license revocation + up to $250,000 fine
- Classifies hiring 50 or more unauthorized workers as a third-degree felony with automatic license revocation.
- Shifts liability to employers for injuries or deaths involving undocumented workers, including reimbursement of public medical expenses.
- Creates a legal presumption of fault against undocumented drivers in traffic accidents unless rebutted by clear evidence.
Context & Controversy
The proposal aligns with broader efforts by Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia to reform workers’ compensation rules and reduce what supporters call taxpayer burdens caused by undocumented labor.
The bill has sparked intense discussion within Florida’s large Haitian-American community, particularly in South Florida, where many families include both legal immigrants and undocumented members. Critics argue the measures are overly punitive and could harm mixed-status families, while supporters, including Jacques, insist they protect legal immigrants and uphold the rule of law.
As the legislative session approaches, HB 1307 is expected to generate heated debate in Tallahassee and across the state.
L’Union Suite will continue to follow the progress of the bill and community responses.
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