Florida Board Bars Illegal Immigrants From 28 Public Colleges in 6-1 Vote

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 2

Florida’s State Board of Education approved a 6-1 rule Tuesday blocking illegal immigrants from admission to the state’s 28 public colleges and adult education programs.
The board said Florida law lets it set admission criteria, framing the move as part of a broader push to tighten immigration rules in higher education.
Ron DeSantis backed the decision, saying college spots should go to Florida residents, while his office argued illegal immigrants have no right to taxpayer-funded colleges.
More than 50 people spoke during public comment, and critics including a Florida state senator said the policy violates the state’s open-admission system and could be unconstitutional.
The vote follows Florida’s 2025 move to end in-state tuition for DACA students; an estimated 50,000 illegal immigrant students lived in the state in 2023.

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Fox News2h ago

Florida Board Bans Illegal Immigrants from Public Colleges

Newsweek13h ago

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Tampa Bay Times6h ago

Florida votes to ban some immigrants from state colleges, adult education

11 Sources

After funding their K-12 education, what is Florida's plan for thousands of now-ineligible undocumented high school graduates?

How will Florida's economy meet workforce demands after banning 8,000 high school graduates from college each year?

What legal challenges arise from a board enacting a policy previously rejected by Florida's elected legislature?

Florida Bans Undocumented Students from Public Colleges: Immediate Impact on 6,000+ Students, Enrollment, and Economy

Overview

On June 30, 2026, the Florida State Board of Education approved a new policy that requires all applicants to public colleges and adult education programs to provide legal status documentation, ending the state's long-standing open-door admissions policy. With immediate implementation on July 2, 2026, prospective students are now directly affected by these requirements. Advocates predict a significant drop in enrollment, especially as state colleges are already struggling with student numbers below pre-pandemic levels. This major change is expected to have immediate and substantial impacts on students, educational institutions, and the broader Florida community.

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