EDITORS' CORNER
Illegal immigrants can not enroll in Florida’s public colleges anymore after the state Board of Education approved a change to its admissions policy Tuesday.
The board voted 6-1 in favor of the rule change after hearing numerous public comments opposing the action, The Orlando Sentinel reports. The rule mandates that Florida’s 28 public colleges require proof of citizenship or legal residence in the U.S. before admitting students.
“Specifically, the rule is organized to introduce admission criteria in the context of admissions and responsibilities of the Florida College system expressed in section 1004.65, Florida statutes,” Kathy Hebda, chancellor of the Division of Florida Colleges, told the newspaper.
Additionally, the board approved a related rule that requires proof of citizenship or legal residence to participate in GED and other adult education programs funded by the state, CBS 12 News reports.
Supporters say the new rules will ensure the taxpayer-funded education programs are only benefitting students who are in the country legally.
Department spokesperson Cassie Edwards told The College Fix previously that state law already bars illegal immigrant students “from receiving an out-of-state waiver.”
“The Florida Department of Education is committed to ensuring that those receiving tax-funded educational benefits are lawfully present,” Edwards said.
But opponents hinted at the possibility of a lawsuit.
Earlier this month, Norín Dollard, senior policy analyst at the Florida Policy Institute, said the rule change may “be unconstitutional.”
“It is not within the purview of the executive agencies, such as the Florida Department of Education, to legislate,” she said.
The total number of college students who are illegal immigrants is unclear, according to the Sentinel:
But in the 2024-25 academic year, there were at least 4,672 undocumented students enrolled in Florida’s state colleges and likely about 2,000 more at state universities, based on a count of who was using out-of-state tuition waivers. Those waivers allowed undocumented students to pay in-state tuition, though they were not citizens.
National organizations, however, have estimated that thousands more undocumented students attend Florida colleges and universities.
The governing board for Florida’s public universities is considering a similar proposal, with a vote expected in September.
Meanwhile, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina have similar “prohibitive enrollment” policies in place for some or all of their public higher education institutions, according to the Sentinel.
Florida Republican leaders have been cracking down on illegal immigration and promoting America first, including by revoking a provision that had allowed illegal immigrants to qualify for the lower in-state tuition price, The College Fix reported.
In October, Gov. Ron DeSantis urged public higher education institutions to prioritize American job seekers in their hiring practices, The Fix reported.
MORE: There are 20% fewer foreign college students in America this year, report finds
