The Im/migrant Well-Being Research Center (IWRC) at the 草莓视频 has released a new qualitative report examining how intensified immigration enforcement in Florida is reshaping the daily lives of immigrants and their families. The study, part of the Florida Immigration Enforcement Experiences Project, builds on the Center鈥檚 earlier Florida Immigration Policies Project by conducting in-depth interviews to better understand enforcement鈥檚 far-reaching effects.
Between May and July 2025, the IWRC research team conducted 53 semi-structured interviews with immigrants and U.S.-born adult children of immigrants ages 18 to 65. Participants represented regions including Africa, the Caribbean, South America, Central America, and North America, and included individuals with a range of legal statuses鈥攗ndocumented immigrants, people with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Lawful Permanent Residents, and U.S. citizens.
Interview findings reveal how Florida鈥檚 SB 1718 and recent federal executive orders are being experienced across multiple aspects of daily life. Participants describe increasingly unstable employment, reduced mobility, heightened fear of family separation, and declining trust in law enforcement. Many reported avoiding hospitals and other medical settings due to concerns that seeking care could expose them or their family members to immigration authorities. The study also documents the emotional toll on children and youth, who are taking on expanded responsibilities such as driving, translating, and monitoring police presence, often to the detriment of their education and well-being. At the same time, faith communities, families, and mutual aid networks remain essential sources of resilience and support.
Key themes that emerged from the interviews include:
- Work and participation in the economy
- Housing and US settlement
- Fear of family separation and social isolation
- Relations with law enforcement
- Detention and its lingering effects
- Health and healthcare access
- Children鈥檚 education and mental well-being
- Resilience, resistance, and community bonds
The IWRC has published a full set of materials associated with this project, including
the, a multi-language summarizing key findings, and a designed for policymakers, educators, journalists, and service providers.