David Brown | Staff Writer
In a decision set to affect more than 57,000 undocumented students, the Florida Board of Education has approved two amendments requiring proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence in the United States for admission to the Florida College System and enrollment in adult education programs.
The board voted June 30 on amendments to Rule 6A-10.0240 and Rule 6A-6.014, set to redefine the admission and enrollment criteria to the public colleges across the state, effectively barring undocumented students from admissions to Florida’s public colleges and adult education programs.
The new ruling applies to 28 colleges across the state, including institutions such as Miami Dade College, Broward College, Palm Beach State College, Santa Fe College, and Florida State College at Jacksonville. It also leaves uncertainty regarding the status of currently enrolled undocumented students.
With the new amendments to Rule 6A-6.014, it is unclear whether the decision could extend to the State University System of Florida, potentially affecting FIU and other state universities.
Originally scheduled as an in-person meeting, the Florida Board of Education rescheduled as a virtual call at 10 a.m on June 30. The session included testimonies and urges from advocacy groups such as the Social Equity through Education Alliance, Florida University alumni, state senators and public school educators, all who unanimously oppose the proposed changes.
During the meeting, many public commenters were SEE Alliance members, a Sarasota-based nonpartisan advocacy group founded by Floridian LGBTQ+ activist Zander Moricz, a former plaintiff in the historic 2024 “Don’t Say Gay” lawsuit. Among those advocates were SEE Alliance fellow and SIPA senator Alicia Bolton, representing FIU and State University students, urging the board to vote against the amendment changes.
“These items contradict the mission of Florida’s education system to serve and protect students and communities. Instead, they risk undermining educational standards, harming schools, and weakening the broader foundations of opportunity in the United States,” said Bolton. “Regardless of immigration status, individuals living in this country should not be denied access to education or the basic promise of opportunity”
Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith also criticized the amendments, arguing that they are conflicting with the Florida Educational Equity Act, which prohibits discrimination based on national origin. He also said the board has no justification for the policy, going against state laws and Florida’s open-door admissions and has ignored his letter sent on June 26.
“You have no authority,” said Smith. “The constitution requires you to provide education to all children within our borders, which makes what you are doing unconstitutional.”
Right after Smith’s comment, the board concluded public comments, moved to vote, and approved the amendments, setting them for implementation for the 2027-28 school year.
The newly amended rules have not yet been confirmed to apply to Florida’s public universities. However, a related proposal by the State University System Board of Governors has been considered, though no final decision has been reached.
About Post Author
