Several civil rights groups are challenging Florida’s new immigration law in a federal lawsuit.

Several civil rights groups are challenging Florida’s new immigration law in a federal lawsuit.

Gov. Ron DeSantis will hold a news conference Thursday morning at Jacksonville Executive at Craig Airport.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – With deadlines nipping at their heels, Florida lawmakers are turning their attention next week to hammering out a state budget and possibly handing Gov. The House is also rushing to finalize its own E-Verify bill. But unlike the version under consideration in the Senate, the House bill would exempt private employers. With just two weeks to go before the scheduled end of the 2020 legislative session on March 13, the prospects for any E-Verify bill remains uncertain. Key budget writers have said the gap sounds wider than it actually is, considering that the final state budget will end up being around $92 billion.

Ron DeSantis wants to crack down on illegal immigration by requiring all employers in the state to check the immigration status of potential hires through the federal E-Verify system. The move comes after DeSantis pushed through a ban on so-called sanctuary cities earlier this year. "I think the best way to help deter illegal immigration is to pursue E-Verify," said DeSantis. Legislation filed for the 2020 session would make it mandatory for all employers use E-Verify to check every potential employee, or else their licenses could be suspended or even revoked. "I'm very concerned about the E-Verify bill and what that could potentially do to our smaller farmers in creating these additional paperwork and burden on their everyday concerns," said Fried.