FLORIDA — The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta will hear oral arguments Thursday regarding a lawsuit against Florida Senate bill 7050 that requires organizations helping U.S. citizens to register to file affirmations that the people handling registration are U.S. citizens.

The lawsuit by the Hispanic Federation is in response to a restriction in the bill that was blocked with an emergency injunction last summer.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law in May 2023. 

Mayra De Pablos, a Venezuelan immigrant canvassing for the voting rights group Poder LatinX, said it is imperative to have Latino canvassers who speak Spanish to reach out to the Hispanic population.

“I love to do my job because I believe it’s important to help out the Latino community,” De Pablos said. “The fact that we can communicate in our language [Spanish] is key to building trust.”

According to the Latino Policy and Politics Institute, Latinos are the second-largest racial and ethnic group in Florida at 26%.

“It’s not easy being a canvasser. It’s a job that requires many hours, and often those hours are spent outside in extreme weather knocking on doors. It requires a lot of effort,” De Pablos said.

However, the longtime canvasser’s career remains in limbo, as the state appeals an earlier ruling that reversed the provision that prohibits immigrants from canvassing.

If reinforced, SB 7050 would fine immigrants up to $50,000 for collecting or handling voter registration forms.

“I don’t think I’m doing anything wrong. I’m trying to contribute to this country,” said De Pablos.

While she considers Florida home, the native of Venezuela native is now considering whether she will have to move to another state to continue canvassing and registering voters.

“It hit me hard, knowing that I almost had to move. I didn’t want to leave Florida. I didn’t want to leave my job and more importantly, I wanted to help my community out here,” said De Pablos, who argues her work isn’t to impose a political ideology among voters.

De Pablos said she hopes the law works in their favor.

“Us Latinos, we don’t give up. And we’re not going anywhere,” she said.