Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1718 in May 2023, which requires hospitals that accept Medicaid to ask patients about their immigration status. The law went into effect on July 1, 2023. 

Addressing the issue of illegal immigrants residing in nursing homes in Florida is a complex challenge that involves legal, ethical, and practical considerations. While there’s no single, simple solution, here are some potential approaches based on current trends, policies, and realities as of January 2025.

In response to the proposed new legislation, nursing homes in Florida will be required to discharge individuals who cannot prove legal residency in the United States, while U.S. citizens will need to provide proof of citizenship to remain in these facilities.

Acceptable forms of proof for U.S. citizenship may include a U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a Certificate of Naturalization, or a Certificate of Citizenship, along with a government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license or state ID card. This measure aims to ensure compliance with federal and state laws regarding residency and citizenship status in healthcare settings.