Florida proposal would bar illegal migrants from attending some colleges

Florida State Lawmaker Proposes Bill to Ban Illegal Migrants from Public Colleges

A Florida state lawmaker, Republican Sen. Randy Fine, has recently introduced a bill aimed at preventing illegal migrants from being admitted to certain public colleges and universities in the state. This proposal comes on the heels of GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis’ call for a special legislative session to support President-elect Trump’s immigration agenda.

Senator Fine argues that it is unfair to allow illegal immigrants to take up spots that could otherwise go to Floridian or American students. His bill specifically targets public higher education institutions with an acceptance rate below 85%, including well-known schools such as the University of Florida, Florida State University, the University of Central Florida, and Florida International University.

According to data from the Pew Research Center, there are approximately 1.2 million illegal migrants currently residing in Florida. Under the current policy, migrant students in the U.S. illegally can qualify for in-state tuition at public colleges and universities. Senator Fine has also put forth another bill that would require high school graduates with DACA status to pay out-of-state tuition fees.

During the 2023-2024 academic year, around 6,500 migrant students without legal status benefited from a waiver allowing them to pay in-state tuition rates at Florida’s public institutions, as reported by the Florida Policy Institute. Across the nation, three states prohibit undocumented students from enrolling in certain colleges, while half of the states permit these students to receive in-state tuition.

Governor DeSantis has scheduled a special session to commence after President Trump’s inauguration on January 20th. The session aims to allocate funding for addressing illegal immigration concerns, including detention and relocation efforts. DeSantis stresses the need to uphold Trump’s commitments to combat illegal immigration and eliminate incentives for unlawful entry into the state.

President Trump expressed gratitude to Governor DeSantis for convening the special session, urging other governors to follow suit. However, DeSantis has faced criticism from fellow Republican leaders in the legislature, who deemed the call for a special session premature and irresponsible.

Senator Fine, a staunch supporter of Trump’s policies, has criticized the governor’s approach to the special session as rushed and lacking a comprehensive bill package for legislative review. Fine, who recently joined the state Senate and is set to resign from the legislature on March 31st, plans to run for the U.S. House seat expected to be vacated by Rep. Michael Waltz.

In conclusion, the debate surrounding illegal migrants’ access to public higher education in Florida continues to unfold, with lawmakers like Senator Fine advocating for stricter admissions policies. The intersection of immigration policy, education, and state governance remains a complex and contentious issue that will undoubtedly shape the future of Florida’s public college and university system.