A local Jacksonville mother lost her son in an automobile accident caused by an illegal immigrant. Kiyan Michael turned that tragedy into a mission to save others and bring awareness to the consequences of open borders in America.
She ran for Florida State Representative representing the 16th District and won. Holding to her campaign promises, she recently championed legislation aimed at enhancing immigration enforcement. Representative Michael’s outstanding achievement lies in her pivotal role in passing Senate Bill 1718, which mandates the use of E-Verify by private employers with 25 or more employees in Florida. Public employers, contractors, and subcontractors have been required to use E-Verify since 2021, and Representative Michael’s efforts have successfully expanded this requirement to private employers, strengthening immigration enforcement in the state.
E-Verify is an online system that allows employers to verify the work eligibility of newly hired employees. By expanding its use to private employers, Florida aims to address issues related to illegal immigration, safeguard its economy, enhance public safety, and protect the well-being of families across the state.
This was a major win for Floridians and as a freshman Representative who was able to get this legislation passed, Rep.Michael received a prestigious Numbers USA Torchbearer Award for her relentless dedication to her personal mission.
NumbersUSA, the nation’s largest single-issue advocacy group located in Washington, DC recognized Representative Michael for her significant contribution to immigration reform at the state level. NumbersUSA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for a balanced immigration system. The organization supports policies that welcome the spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents, address refugee crises, attract individuals with exceptional abilities, manage temporary labor shortages, and protect vulnerable populations.
The Torchbearer Award was presented to Representative Michael at the year-end wrap-up meeting of the Duval County Chapter of the Citizens for Defending Freedom (CDF) on October 30, 2023. CDF, a nationally expanding organization, is actively involved in civic issues across several states, including Florida, Texas, and Georgia. Rep. Michael asked if the award could be presented at CDF where she described the members as her “tribe” who supported her mission to keep America safe.
Representative Michael expressed her commitment to addressing the challenges posed by illegal immigration, stating, “Washington’s failure to stop illegal immigration affects us all. It affects our economy, public safety, and our families across the state. Doing nothing is not an option.”
