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.
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37 Articles
Florida will restrict the access of students without legal immigration status to public institutions of higher education. The new policy will enter into force during the academic year 2027-2028 and will affect those seeking entry for the first time. In Orlando, the bill includes the University of Central Florida (UCF) and will also have implications for students who [...] The Florida entry restricts the entry of undocumented students to public u…
Florida bans illegal immigrants from enrolling in public universities
The Florida Board of Governors approved an admissions policy change Thursday that bans illegal immigrants from enrolling in the state’s public universities, starting next year. WESH reports the measure only applies to new applicants and “does not appear to affect undocumented students who are currently enrolled.” “Beginning with the 2027-28 academic year, a person who […]
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