Florida Blocks Undocumented Students From State Universities
The unanimous vote closes a path to state-funded higher education for thousands of students and follows a similar ban at Florida’s state colleges.
- On Thursday, the Florida Board of Governors voted unanimously to ban undocumented students from the state's 12 public universities starting in the 2027-28 academic year. The regulation bars any person "who is present in the United States unlawfully" from initial enrollment.
- This decision follows a June vote by the State Board of Education barring undocumented students from Florida's 24 public colleges and GED programs. Similar legislative bills during the 2026 session failed to advance and died in committee.
- Estimates show at least 4,672 undocumented students attended state colleges during the 2024-25 academic year, with about 2,000 more at universities. United Faculty of Florida president Robert Cassanello called the ban "another example of overreach."
- Defending the rule as "common sense," Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins stated that public universities are for students who are here legally. He argued Florida taxpayers should not be expected to "subsidize opportunities for people who broke our laws."
- Florida now joins Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina in adopting "prohibitive enrollment" policies. The Florida Education Association and United Latin American Citizens warned the policy will stifle economic growth and limit "lost potential for Florida's workforce and economy.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Undocumented Students Now Banned from All Florida Colleges and Universities
Students must be lawfully in the United States to attend Florida’s universities, the board that oversees the university system voted Thursday. The measure received no debate or discussion, except from members of the public during public comment. The Board of Governors approved the measure, on the consent agenda, after receiving preliminary approval during a meeting in June.
Florida’s universities are off-limits for anyone in the US 'unlawfully'
Students must be lawfully in the United States to attend Florida’s universities, the board that oversees the university system voted Thursday. The measure received no debate or discussion, except from members of the public during public comment. The Board of Governors approved the measure, on the consent agenda, after receiving preliminary approval during a meeting […]
Sun-Sentinel
Orlando SentinelFlorida votes to ban undocumented students from state universities
The Florida Board of Governors voted Thursday to ban undocumented students from state universities, a move that comes after another board banned them from state colleges.
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