Florida’s Education Board Moves to Ban Undocumented Immigrants from Public Universities

On Tuesday, the Florida Board of Education took a significant step by approving a policy that prohibits undocumented immigrants from enrolling in the state’s public universities. This decision is part of a broader initiative by state authorities aimed at tightening immigration regulations within higher education.

The board’s vote was 6-1, resulting in the exclusion of illegal immigrants from Florida’s 28 state universities as well as the state’s adult education programs.

According to reports from the Orlando Sentinel, Daniel Foganholi, the only board member dissenting, is a first-generation American and the son of Brazilian immigrants.

The board justified its decision by citing existing Florida law, which it claims allows for the establishment of admissions criteria.

The American Immigration Council mentioned that as of 2023, approximately 50,000 undocumented immigrant students reside in Florida, as reported by Hire Ed Drive.

In a previous move, Florida had ended its DACA program last year, which enabled undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition rates.

Among those voicing their opinions during public commentary was Alex Liberman, who remarked, “Education is not meant to be a system of policing immigration.”

Meanwhile, Virginia Bolton, a student at Florida International University, expressed her disapproval in a call, stating, “I am disgusted and concerned. These measures are cruel, vague, and hypocritical in relation to the ideals of the Department of Education and the U.S. Constitution.”

Florida State Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith argued that the proposed policy contradicts Florida law, asserting that Florida is required to maintain an open-door admissions policy for the university system.

He stated, “Our Constitution demands that we provide education to every child within our borders, and what you are doing is unconstitutional.”

Governor Ron DeSantis publicly supported the board’s decision, sharing in a video, “If you’re here illegally and attending a state university, that doesn’t make any sense. It would be better to offer that spot to a Florida resident.” He emphasized that it seems illogical for undocumented students to receive benefits not available to American residents in neighboring states.

DeSantis’s communications director, Alex Lanfranconi, reinforced this stance, declaring that undocumented immigrants have no entitlement to attend taxpayer-supported colleges, committing to ending this practice under Governor DeSantis’s leadership.

Inquiries for comment have been directed to the Florida Board of Education.