Take Florida's SB 1718 as a prime example of legislation that criminalizes both undocumented immigrants and sex workers. This bill makes it a felony to transport unauthorized migrants, forces employers to use E-Verify, and penalizes migrants for using invalid driver's licenses. On the surface, it appears to be a straightforward immigration policy. But for migrant sex workers, it becomes a tool of oppression, tightening an already suffocating grip.
Imagine working in an already marginalized industry, only to live in constant fear of deportation, arrest, and exploitation. This is the harsh reality for migrant sex workers in Florida and worldwide. With more than one million undocumented migrants in Florida alone, many are forced into low-wage, precarious jobs like agriculture, food services, and construction. But for those left without even these limited opportunities, sex work often becomes a last resort. And yet, laws like SB 1718 strip away any chance of seeking protection or legal recourse, leaving these workers vulnerable to abuse.
These legislative frameworks create invisible borders within society, defining who deserves protection and who does not. Migrant sex workers are doubly stigmatized — both as migrants and sex workers. Criminalizing sex work pushes the industry underground, where violence, wage theft, and trafficking flourish. And as immigration policies grow harsher, these workers are pushed further into dangerous situations, unable to report abuse without risking deportation.
The anti-trafficking movement, which tends to focus solely on sex trafficking, often ignores labor trafficking, where far more migrants are exploited. While we hear constant outcry about sex trafficking, the exploitation in agriculture and food systems is often overlooked, allowing society to disregard the suffering of migrant workers in these sectors. This selective outrage only deepens the marginalization of migrant workers, failing to address the broader spectrum of their rights and needs.
Globally, sex work laws vary from full criminalization to partial decriminalization or legalization. However, few legal frameworks account for the unique challenges faced by migrant sex workers. Even in regions like New Zealand, where sex work is decriminalized, migrant workers face barriers due to restrictive immigration policies. The gap between labor laws and immigration laws leaves migrant workers stranded in legal limbo, further compounding their vulnerability.
As a second-generation American, I recognize the privilege I hold in advocating for sex workers' rights from a position of safety, thanks to my grandparents, who fled persecution to find refuge in the U.S. This privilege allows me to speak up for marginalized communities without facing the immediate threat of deportation or violence that migrant sex workers confront daily. It's crucial to acknowledge this disparity and use this platform to amplify the voices of those directly impacted by these oppressive systems.
So, what's the solution? Decriminalizing sex work is an essential step, but it must be coupled with comprehensive immigration reform that protects all migrant workers, regardless of their profession. Rather than pushing them further into the shadows, we need to create pathways for migrant sex workers to access rights and protections without the looming threat of deportation.
But legal reform is not enough. The social stigma surrounding both sex work and immigration must be dismantled. We need to move beyond performative activism that celebrates sex work decriminalization in theory while ignoring the violence perpetuated by laws like SB 1718. It means supporting all sex workers, not just those who fit neatly into a politically acceptable narrative.
Encouragingly, groups like the Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC) are pushing for reforms that highlight the essential role migrant workers play in the state's economy, where more than 70 percent of agricultural workers are immigrants. Yet, migrant sex workers remain largely absent from these discussions despite their equally vital contributions to society. Their voices and safety deserve to be front and center in conversations about labor rights, decriminalization, and immigration reform.
Migrant sex workers are more than statistics — they are individuals navigating systems designed to punish them for existing. Personal stories from the community reveal women forced to use unsafe transportation due to lack of documentation, or individuals too terrified to seek medical help out of fear of deportation. These stories should awaken us to the reality that our laws are not just flawed but are actively endangering lives.
If we care about justice, we need to go beyond symbolic gestures and address the systemic issues that criminalize and marginalize migrant sex workers. The next time someone claims to support "legalizing sex work," ask what they're doing to protect the most vulnerable within that community. If they have no answer, it's time to rethink their activism.
Sex work is work. Migration is a human right. And the intersection of the two deserves more than our apathy; it demands meaningful action.
Call to Action
Stand with migrant sex workers by advocating for the decriminalization of sex work and comprehensive immigration reform. Support organizations pushing for these changes and making space for the voices too often ignored. Real change begins when we stop leaving people behind.Editor's note: The views expressed in the above commentary are solely those of the writer(s). New Times occasionally shares essays, commentaries, and other opinion articles submitted to the editor. Want to submit your own? Send it to [email protected], where you can also comment on this piece.
