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Florida Moving to Ban Undocumented Students From State Universities

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Florida’s Board of Governors Votes to Advance Enrollment Ban

Florida’s Board of Governors unanimously moved forward on June 25, 2026 with a rule that would bar undocumented students from enrolling in any of the state’s public universities. The board will hold a final vote in September 2026. If approved, the ban takes effect for the 2027-2028 academic year.

The rule targets new students only. Students currently enrolled would not be removed.

“It requires the universities to verify lawful presence before initial enrollment of students beginning in the ‘27-‘28 academic year.”

Emily Sikes, Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, Florida Board of Governors, June 25, 2026

The rule applies to Florida’s public university system, which includes 12 institutions such as the University of Florida, Florida State University, and Florida International University. Private universities like the University of Miami are not covered.

The Rule Is One Step From Taking Effect

Thursday’s vote was the first of two required steps. The full Board of Governors must approve the rule in September before it becomes official. The Florida Board of Education is also expected to adopt a nearly identical rule for the state’s colleges as early as next week, which would extend the ban to the broader Florida College System.

Governor Ron DeSantis has publicly endorsed both rules.

“I think what they are doing is the right thing to do, and I think it’s putting the students in Florida that are growing up here, going to our schools, Florida residents… It’s putting them first.”

Governor Ron DeSantis, press conference, June 24, 2026

Board members revised the rule’s language during Thursday’s session after noticing the original draft could have inadvertently blocked international students in overseas online programs. The revised text prohibits enrollment of anyone “unlawfully present” in the United States, rather than anyone “not lawfully present.”

Florida Would Join Three States With Similar Restrictions

If the rule passes in September, Florida would join Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina as states that fully or partially block undocumented students from public higher education enrollment. No federal law requires states to take this step.

The timing matters. Students planning for fall 2027 admission would need to apply in the 2026-2027 academic year, meaning the window to shape this rule through public comment is now.

What You Can Do Now

  1. Submit public comment to the Florida Board of Governors before September 2026. The rule is in a public comment period before the September vote. Send written comments to the Board of Governors at flbog.edu/about/contact/. Tell them you oppose the enrollment ban and ask them to vote no in September.

  2. Contact your Florida state senator and representative. The legislature cannot stop a Board of Governors rule directly, but public pressure shapes their priorities. Find your legislators at myfloridahouse.gov and flsenate.gov. Ask them to publicly oppose the rule and protect access to higher education for all Florida residents.

  3. Contact the Florida Board of Education to oppose the parallel rule for colleges, expected to be adopted as early as next week. Email the board at fldoe.org/policy/state-board-of-edu/ and state your opposition before the vote.

  4. Share verified information with affected students and families. The Florida Immigrant Coalition publishes guidance for undocumented students at floridaimmigrant.org. Currently enrolled students would not be removed under this rule, but incoming students need to know their timeline now.

Sources

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