Florida’s Proposed Bill to Exclude Undocumented Students from Some Public Universities Sparks Debate

Race Day Live (Tampa, FL) – A legislator’s plan would prohibit some Florida public institutions from enrolling undocumented students.

A Florida lawmaker has introduced legislation that would prohibit several public colleges and universities from enrolling unauthorized immigrants as students.

The plan comes a day after Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a special legislative session to help President-elect Donald Trump execute his immigration policy.

The plan was filed on Tuesday by Republican state Sen. Randy Fine, who is vying for a seat in Congress to replace Rep. Mike Waltz, Trump’s nominee for national security adviser.

“Is it fair to allow an illegal immigrant to take a spot that could be taken by a Floridian or an American? I would argue no,” Fine said.

“I think we are crushing dreams,” said Francis Tume to CBS News Miami. He was an undocumented student who graduated from Florida International University (FIU) with a finance degree; he paid in-state tuition.

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“It benefitted me; I was able to continue my career,” said Tume, 31, whose immigration status is now different.

Representatives from Florida’s public college and university systems did not immediately answer to questions about how many students may be affected by Fine’s measure, which would prohibit public higher education institutions with an acceptance rate of less than 85% from accepting undocumented students.

Fine’s proposal would represent a substantial policy shift in the state, which has an estimated 1.2 million undocumented immigrants, according to the Pew Research Center.

Undocumented Florida students can currently attend public colleges and universities and pay in-state tuition. Fine has also introduced a bill to abolish that provision. Time was essential in making in-state tuition available to Florida’s undocumented immigrant children. In 2014, he and other students visited Tallahassee to meet with attorneys and senators.

The effort was championed by Florida’s current Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Núñez, who was serving as a state senator. Governor Rick Scott then signed the bill into law.

“According to Governor DeSantis, in-state tuition for undocumented students incentivizes illegal immigration. What do you say to that? asked CBS News Miami.

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“I don’t think it incentivizes any illegal actions; I think it’ll bring new ideas and new businesses,” Tume told me.

DeSantis, who scheduled the special session for the week following Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration, has stated that the state must take action to support the incoming president’s promised immigration crackdown and ensure that “we don’t have any lingering incentives for people to come into our state illegally.”

Republican leaders in the legislature have criticized the governor’s demand for a special session, labeling it “premature” and “irresponsible.” On Tuesday, Trump complimented DeSantis on social media, adding, “Hopefully, other governors will follow!”.

Fine is one of several Republican lawmakers who have vowed support for Trump and his goals, but have slammed the governor’s call for a special session as hasty.

“This was not accompanied with a robust bill package for us to consider,” Fine told reporters. “Do you want to call a special session?” Give me the bills you want me to vote on.

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