Overview
- The Florida Board of Governors unanimously moved the proposal forward this week and will consider a final vote in September, though the rule is not yet adopted.
- Board members changed the wording to bar people “unlawfully present” rather than anyone “not lawfully present” to avoid unintentionally blocking overseas students in online programs.
- Officials say the policy would apply only to new enrollees beginning in the 2027–28 academic year and would not remove currently enrolled students from campuses.
- Governor Ron DeSantis publicly praised the move as prioritizing Florida residents, while immigrant-rights groups say it would exclude young people raised and educated in Florida.
- If adopted, the change would align Florida with several southern states that restrict undocumented students’ access and could push affected students toward private schools, out-of-state options, or online programs.