Florida faced a major immigrant influx in 1980 with the Mariel boatlift, which resulted in 125, 000 Cuban immigrants arriving in just six months, altering the labor force by 7 percent. In contrast to politicians’ fears, the arrival of the Mariel immigrants had virtually no impact on the wage rates or employment of non-Cuban workers. In the long term, the immigrants integrated into their new communities, contributed to the local economies, and founded businesses. This welcoming pattern has continued to characterize Florida’s immigration landscape, with the state’s large immigrant population contributing significantly to its economic growth. Despite the economic benefits, Governor Ron DeSantis has embraced restrictive immigration policies, expressing concerns about undocumented immigrants and implementing measures that could negatively impact the state’s economy, such as the controversial migration transport program and the harsh immigration crackdown bill. DeSantis’ stance contradicts his broader message of promoting Florida as a desirable location for skilled workers and Americans relocating to the state, while disregarding the potential economic benefits of welcoming immigrants.