The text discusses the negative consequences of a new law signed by De Santis in Florida that criminalizes undocumented immigrants. As a result, the state has seen a mass exodus of undocumented individuals, including a significant percentage of construction and agricultural workers. The text highlights the impact of this exodus, such as Latin truckers boycotting and refusing to deliver loads, empty construction sites, and rotting produce in the fields. Walmart and Home Depot are also experiencing a lack of customers, and American workers hired to replace the undocumented are struggling to fill their roles. The text suggests that this situation will be difficult to recover from, as other states are now attracting immigrant workers, and the author expresses their personal aversion to returning to Florida under the current political climate.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undocumented immigrants leaving Florida | Decrease in immigrant population | Labor shortages in industries | Anti-immigration legislation and enforcement |
| Latin truckers boycotting and refusing to deliver loads in Florida | Disruption in transportation | Decreased goods distribution | Solidarity with undocumented immigrants |
| Empty construction sites and rotting produce | Abandoned job sites and wasted crops | Labor shortages in agriculture | Decreased immigrant labor availability |
| Empty Walmart and Home Depot stores | Decreased customer base | Decline in retail sales | Decreased immigrant population and labor force |
| Hiring American workers in agriculture | Inadequate labor force | Difficulties in farming | Inability of American workers to replace immigrants |
| Comparison between Latino and American workers | Differences in work performance | Skills gap in labor force | Differences in physical fitness and experience |
| Reduced workforce in housing development | Decreased construction labor | Delayed construction projects | Labor shortages in construction industry |
| Latinos leaving Florida | Decreased immigrant population | Brain drain from Florida | Anti-immigration legislation and enforcement |
| Empty Walmart store | Decreased customer base | Decrease in retail sales | Decreased immigrant population and labor force |
| Empty Home Depot store | Decreased customer base | Decline in retail sales | Decreased immigrant population and labor force |
| Decreased immigrant labor in farms and construction sites | Labor shortages in industries | Shift in labor markets | Anti-immigration legislation and enforcement |
| African American Youtube star discouraging travel to Florida | Decreased tourist influx | Negative perception of Florida | Opposition to right-wing leadership |