Florida’s State Board of Education voted Tuesday to move forward with a policy barring illegal aliens from admission to the state’s public colleges and adult education programs.

The board voted 6-1 to make Florida’s 28 state colleges and state adult education programs inaccessible to illegals.

The move is the latest step by Florida leaders to tighten immigration rules in higher education and ensure taxpayer-funded college seats go to legal residents and U.S. citizens.

The only vote against the measure came from board member Daniel Foganholi, who the Orlando Sentinel identified as a first-generation American born to immigrants from Brazil.

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The board said it has the authority to implement the rule under Florida statutes allowing it to set admission criteria.

DeSantis Backs Crackdown

Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis praised the vote and said illegal immigrants should not take seats at taxpayer-funded state institutions.

“You know, if you’re here illegally, you know, you go to a state university, it doesn’t make sense,” DeSantis said in a clip shared by Spectrum News.

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“I would rather have that spot go to a Florida resident.”

DeSantis said the current system creates unfair outcomes for Americans and legal residents.

“But then they’re getting less than what a U.S. citizen in Georgia is getting, someone who lives in South Georgia,” he said.

“It just doesn’t make any sense at all.”

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WATCH:

Florida lawmakers react after the state Board of Education voted to approve a rule that would ban undocumented immigrants from public colleges. Another rule for public universities is under consideration. pic.twitter.com/pJUPv7kW2y

— Spectrum Bay News 9 (@BN9) July 1, 2026

Alex Lanfranconi, communications director for DeSantis, said Florida is ending the practice.

“Illegal immigrants have no right to attend taxpayer-funded colleges,” Lanfranconi said in a statement.

“Under Governor DeSantis, Florida will put a stop to this.”

Florida Previously Ended In-State Tuition for DACA Students

The new policy follows another major immigration move in Florida higher education.

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Last year, Florida ended a program that allowed illegal immigrant students covered under DACA to pay in-state tuition rates.

Higher Ed Drive reported that Florida had approximately 50,000 illegal alien students in 2023, citing the American Immigration Council.

The latest rule would go further by barring illegal immigrants from admission to state colleges and adult education programs.

Florida officials are making clear that access to taxpayer-funded higher education is not an entitlement for those in the country illegally.

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The policy reflects DeSantis’ broader approach to immigration enforcement.

Florida has repeatedly moved to limit taxpayer benefits and public services for illegal immigrants while prioritizing citizens and lawful residents.

Left-Wing Critics Attack Rule

The proposal drew opposition during public comment.

More than 50 people reportedly shared opinions on the measure.

Alex Liberman criticized the policy and argued that schools should not be involved in immigration enforcement.

“Education is not meant to be a policing system for immigrants,” Liberman said.

Florida International University student Virginia Bolton also called in to oppose the rule.

“I’m calling to express my utmost disgust and concern,” Bolton said.

“These items are not only cruel, vague, and hypocritical of what the Department of Education stands for, but what the United States Constitution does as well.”

Florida state Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith (D-Orlando) claimed the policy violates state law.

“Florida law requires you to maintain an open-door admission policy in our state college system which these rules violate,” Smith said.

Smith also argued that Florida’s constitution requires education for all children within the state’s borders.

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“Our constitution also requires you to provide for the education of all children within our borders, which makes what you are doing unconstitutional,” he said.

Florida Prioritizes Legal Residents

The fight is now about who taxpayer-funded institutions are meant to serve.

Florida Democrats and activists want illegal aliens to retain access to public college systems.

DeSantis and the State Board of Education are saying those seats should go to Floridians, legal residents, and U.S. citizens.

The policy does not target private education.

It targets access to taxpayer-funded state colleges and adult education programs.

For Florida officials, the principle is straightforward.

Public institutions funded by taxpayers should not reward illegal immigration.

Florida has already ended in-state tuition benefits for DACA students.

Now the state is moving to block illegal immigrants from admission altogether.

The message from DeSantis’ administration is clear: Florida’s public colleges are for those lawfully in the country, not those who violated immigration law.

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