TALLAHASSEE, Florida — The Florida State Board of Education voted 6–1 on Tuesday to prohibit illegal immigrants from enrolling in the state’s 28 public colleges and adult education programs.
Under the new policy, institutions within the Florida College System will only admit U.S. citizens or individuals lawfully present in the country. Applicants must attest to their legal status and provide supporting documentation before enrolling. The rule also applies to adult general education programs, including GED classes.
This action builds on last year’s repeal of in-state tuition benefits for illegal immigrants. Governor Ron DeSantis and state leaders have stated that Florida’s public resources, funded by the state’s hardworking taxpayers, should prioritize American citizens and legal residents, rather than individuals who entered the country illegally.
The Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the state’s 12 public universities, advanced a similar measure last week. Beginning with the 2027–2028 academic year, individuals unlawfully present in the United States will be ineligible for initial enrollment at selective public universities. A final vote is still pending, but the proposal is expected to move forward.
These policies send a strong message to other states and the federal government: Florida will not subsidize or reward illegal immigration through taxpayer-funded higher education.
As expected, left-wing activist groups, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and Democratic lawmakers criticized the reform, describing it as «cruel.» Critics argue that the policy could reduce institutional revenue and negatively affect students who grew up in Florida despite lacking legal immigration status.
However, supporters argue that illegal immigrants should not compete with legal residents for limited spaces and resources at public institutions. They also contend that Florida taxpayers already bear significant costs associated with illegal immigration, making the policy a logical step toward enforcing federal immigration law at the state level and restoring policy priorities.
According to supporters, taxpayer-funded higher education for illegal immigrants is a policy that Florida voters have repeatedly rejected, a position they say aligns with Governor DeSantis’s record on border security and the rule of law.
Florida now joins a small group of states taking firm action on illegal immigration in higher education. The broader question is whether states can—and should—protect their sovereignty, their citizens, and their fiscal stability through similar measures.
The changes are expected to face legal challenges from activist organizations, but supporters argue they reflect the will of Florida voters, who elected leaders committed to putting America—and Florida—first.
Supporters also maintain that, as illegal immigration places pressure on public services nationwide, Florida’s approach provides a model for other Republican-led states: enforce immigration laws, protect taxpayers, and reduce incentives for future illegal immigration.
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