“Her comments are a betrayal to our communities.” – ABIC Action FL Director Samuel Vilchez Santiago
Miami, FL — Today the American Business Immigration Coalition Action (ABIC Action) joined Cuban-American Business Leaders from South Florida in condemning Florida Lieutenant Governor Jeannette Nuñez’s recent suggestion that Governor DeSantis should bus recently arrived migrants – most of whom are Cuban and Venezuelan asylum seekers seeking refuge from murderous dictatorships – from Florida to Delaware.
“Lieutenant Governor Nuñez’s suggestion of bussing recently arrived migrants from Florida to Delaware is deeply insensitive to those who had to escape murderous socialist dictatorships and have sought refugee in our state, especially Cubans, Venezuelans, and Nicaraguans,” said ABIC Action Florida State Director Samuel Vilchez Santiago. He continued, “These recently arrived migrants, many of whom are applying for asylum, will contribute to Florida’s economy not only as tax-payers but also as essential workers in key industries across the state, which is especially needed given our high inflation and low unemployment rates. They are no different than many of us who arrived earlier and have helped build the Florida we know today. As a daughter of Cuban immigrants, LTG Nuñez should know that. Her comments are a betrayal to our communities.”
Florida business leader, MBF Healthcare Partners Chairman and ABIC Action Co-Chair Mike Fernandez, added, “Employers across the country are facing a devastating labor shortage that contributes to rising inflation and creates supply chain bottlenecks. We don’t need politicians creating a crisis that will stunt our recovery simply to score political points right before an election off the backs of vulnerable asylum seekers, most of whom come from Cuba and Venezuela. Cubans, and more recently Venezuelans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and others, are part of a proud legacy of new immigrants building Florida into an economic powerhouse. Those who arrived recently are no different.”
ABIC Action Florida Advisory Board Member and Cuban Businessman Tony Argiz stated, “From the first arrivals in the early 1960’s and the freedom flights in the mid 1960’s to the Camarioca and Mariel waves, Cuban immigration has been excellent for Miami, contributing greatly to our economy and helping us build our city and state. Those waves are no different than recently arrived Cuban immigrants, who will assimilate into our economy and make our society better for all. The reality is unemployment rates are low and our businesses desperately need workers in order to continue expanding. In addition, as a Catholic, I believe, like most Floridians, in human dignity. Do recently arrived immigrants have no value just because they arrived recently? How are they any different from the rest of us and our families?”
Levitan Group President and ABIC Florida Advisory Board Member Dr. Aida Levitan said, “To suggest that Florida should bus recently arrived migrants to Delaware ignores our state’s economic reality. Immigrants’ contributions to our economy are unquestionable. A recent report produced by New American Economy shows that immigrants help our state meet our labor needs in critical industries, have revitalized local businesses as consumers, bring much needed talent, and play a significant role as entrepreneurs. To those of us who came to this country from Cuba and have helped build our economy as business owners and job creators, it is insulting to claim otherwise.”
Former Florida Republican Party Chairman and ABIC Co-Chair Al Cardenas stated, “Most of the recently arrived migrants Florida has received have escaped brutal dictatorships from Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela and are seeking asylum in the United States, a country founded by immigrants. They are no different than earlier waves of arrivals, which brought some of the best talent, entrepreneurs, job creators, and workers that our state has to offer. Closing the door to them is closing the door to a stronger economy for all Floridians.”
ABOUT
The American Business Immigration Coalition Action (ABIC Action) was created to mobilize the power of American businesses and the general public to promote and advocate for sensible immigration solutions. ABIC Action works to develop and advocate for legislation, regulations, and government programs that promote common sense state and federal immigration reform to benefit the people and economy of our country. ABIC Action coordinates leadership among American businesses to provide a strong and effective voice in the national immigration conversation with the ultimate goal of passing sensible immigration policies.