BUZZ
Rule would require college applicants to provide proof of citizenship or legal immigrant status
Several progressive immigration advocacy groups criticized two Florida rule proposals during a news conference Monday, saying the changes would unfairly ban illegal immigrants from enrolling in public colleges.
“With these proposed rules, the Florida Department of Education is making a costly end-run around the Legislature, which refused to pass similar legislation during the 2026 regular session,” Norín Dollard of the Florida Policy Institute stated in a news release.
“The cost of these proposals—both to the well-being of families and to college budgets—would be high,” Dollard, a senior policy analyst, stated.
One rule proposal, announced earlier this month, would require every board of trustees in the Florida College System to “ensure that all students admitted … are citizens of the United States or lawfully present in the United States,” News Service of Florida reports.
To be admitted, students would be required to provide “credible, precise, and compelling” documentation to prove “that he or she is a citizen of the United States or lawfully present” in the country.
A second rule would “ban undocumented immigrants from adult general education programs in high schools and state colleges,” including GED preparatory programs, CBS News reports.
Both rules only would apply to the state’s public colleges, not its universities. A hearing on the proposals is scheduled for May 14 at Miami Dade College.
On Monday, several immigration groups criticized the rules during an online news conference, calling them “discriminatory, legally questionable,” and harmful to the state’s economy as well as its students.
“These are our kids, and they are our future,” Yareliz Mendez-Zamora with the American Friends Service Committee said. “We are asking that the Florida Department of Education do the right thing and not pass these rules.”
Mendez-Zamora also criticized Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis for backing the rule proposals after legislation to enact similar restrictions failed to pass, CBS News reports:
All children in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have the right to a free public education. According to the landmark 1982 Supreme Court case Plyler v. Doe, the state cannot prevent undocumented children from attending public school without “showing that it furthers some substantial state interest.”
The proposed rules, however, could affect students under 18, as the GED exam can be taken by 16 and 17-year-olds, and high school students in Florida have opportunities for dual enrollment classes within the state college system.
Republican [state] lawmakers have attempted several times to restrict the ability of undocumented immigrants and immigrants lawfully present in the United States from enrolling in higher education institutions in Florida.
However, none of the bills introduced during the most recent legislative session passed.
“Governor Ron DeSantis is used to getting his way. Like a child, what he is doing is throwing a temper tantrum and trying to get his way in any way that he can,” Mendez-Zamora said at the news conference.
The rule proposals are the latest effort by state Republican leaders to crack down on illegal immigration and promote America first.
Last year, Florida revoked a provision that had allowed illegal immigrants to qualify for in-state tuition prices, The College Fix reported.
In October, DeSantis also 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
