Florida Board Bans Undocumented Students from Colleges

Florida education officials have voted to ban undocumented students from enrolling in the state’s public college system, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from immigrant advocates and some lawmakers who call the policy cruel and legally questionable. The State Board of Education approved the rule during a telephone meeting on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, requiring all applicants to the 28 state colleges to be U.S. citizens or lawfully present in the country.

The measure passed by a 6-1 vote, with board member Daniel Foganholi Sr. casting the sole dissenting vote. Foganholi stated he opposed the rule because he believes the board’s mission is to oversee education, not to enforce immigration policy. The new rule also extends to adult general education programs, including GED and English-language courses.

Each college’s board of trustees must now adopt procedures requiring applicants to attest to their citizenship or lawful status and provide documentation before enrolling. The policy is expected to take effect for future academic years and does not apply to Florida’s 12 public universities, which are governed by a separate board. That board, the Florida Board of Governors, is...