Florida Bill Would Ban Students in the US without Legal Permission from Some Public Universities

Legislation Filed by Republican State Sen. Randy Fine

Tallahassee, FL – A Florida state lawmaker has filed a bill that would ban some public colleges and universities from admitting immigrants who are in the country without legal permission. The proposal comes a day after Gov. Ron DeSantis called for a special legislative session to help implement President-elect Donald Trump’s immigration policies.

Proposal Would Affect Public Colleges and Universities

The proposal was filed on Tuesday by Republican state Sen. Randy Fine, who is currently running for a seat in Congress to replace Rep. Mike Waltz, Trump’s pick for national security advisor. The bill would ban public schools of higher education with an acceptance rate of less than 85% from admitting students in the country without legal authorization.

Affected Institutions

Representatives for Florida’s public college and university systems did not immediately respond to questions on how many students could be affected by Fine’s bill. However, the University of Florida, Florida State University, the University of Central Florida, and Florida International University are among institutions that would be affected, according to the schools’ admissions data.

Fine’s Argument

“It’s not fair to allow an illegal immigrant to take a spot that could be taken by a Floridian or an American,” Fine said. “I would argue no.”

Impact on Unauthorized Students

Fine’s proposal would mark a significant policy shift in the state, which is home to an estimated 1.2 million immigrants living in the U.S. without permission, according to the Pew Research Center. Currently, Florida students who are without permission can qualify for in-state tuition at public colleges and universities. Fine has also filed a bill that would repeal that provision.

Current State of In-State Tuition

During the 2023-2024 school year, about 6,500 unauthorized students qualified for a waiver from paying out-of-state tuition at the state’s public colleges and universities, according to the nonprofit Florida Policy Institute.

National Context

Three states bar students without legal authorization from enrolling in at least some colleges, while half of states have policies allowing unauthorized students to qualify for in-state tuition, according to the National Immigration Law Center.

Reactions to the Proposal

Gaby Pacheco, who was once an unauthorized college student in Florida and now leads TheDream.US, a national organization that provides scholarships to immigrant students who don’t have legal authorization, called Fine’s proposal “harmful” and “self-defeating” at a time when Florida schools are seeing enrollment declines.

“We’re failing to see as Floridians the impact that is going to have when you’re removing people who have been here for 10, 15 years,” she said. “This is their home.”

Conclusion

The proposal has sparked controversy and debate, with some arguing that it is unfair to ban unauthorized students from attending public colleges and universities, while others believe it is necessary to ensure that only legal residents can enroll. The bill will now be reviewed by the state legislature, and its fate remains uncertain.

Frequently Asked Questions

* What is the purpose of the bill?
The bill aims to ban public colleges and universities from admitting students in the country without legal permission.
* Which institutions would be affected by the bill?
The University of Florida, Florida State University, the University of Central Florida, and Florida International University would be among the institutions affected.
* How many students could be affected by the bill?
Representatives for Florida’s public college and university systems did not immediately respond to questions on how many students could be affected by Fine’s bill.
* What is the current state of in-state tuition for unauthorized students in Florida?
During the 2023-2024 school year, about 6,500 unauthorized students qualified for a waiver from paying out-of-state tuition at the state’s public colleges and universities.