Florida Education Board Blocks Undocumented Immigrants from Public College Admissions

The Florida State Board of Education recently advanced a new policy that will prevent undocumented immigrants from gaining admission to the state’s public colleges. This decision signifies the latest initiative by Florida authorities to tighten immigration regulations within the higher education system.

During a meeting on Tuesday, the board approved the measure with a 6-1 vote, effectively making the state's 28 public colleges and various adult education programs inaccessible to individuals residing in the state without legal documentation. The sole vote against this policy came from board member Daniel Foganholi, who has been identified as a first-generation American whose parents immigrated from Brazil.

Despite some opposition, the state board asserted its legal authority to implement such a rule. It cited existing Florida statutes that grant the board the power to establish specific admission criteria for educational institutions.

This move follows a previous change last year when Florida discontinued a program that allowed undocumented students protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy to pay in-state tuition rates. Data from the American Immigration Council, reported in 2023, indicated that Florida was home to approximately 50,000 undocumented immigrant students.

Public Outcry and Legislative Concerns

During the public comment period, which saw participation from over 50 individuals, Alex Liberman voiced strong opposition, stating that, "Education is not meant to be a policing system for immigrants."

Virginia Bolton, a student enrolled at Florida International University, also contacted the board to express her disapproval.

"I’m calling to express my utmost disgust and concern," Bolton conveyed. "These items are not only cruel, vague and hypocritical of what the Department of Education stands for, but what the United States Constitution does as well."

Florida state Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith, a Democrat representing Orlando, contended that the proposed policy is in direct conflict with existing state law.

"Florida law requires you to maintain an open-door admission policy in our state college system which these rules violate," Senator Smith stated. "Our constitution also requires you to provide for the education of all children within our borders, which makes what you are doing unconstitutional."

Governor DeSantis Praises Decision

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis commended the board's decision. In a video clip shared on Tuesday, Governor DeSantis articulated his perspective:

"You know, if you're here illegally, you know, you go to a state university, it doesn't make sense. I would rather have that spot go to a Florida resident. But then they're getting less than what a U.S. citizen in Georgia is getting, someone who lives in South Georgia. It just doesn't make any sense at all."