The measure applies to universities that don’t accept all “academically qualified” students, Axios reports. It would take effect for the 2027-2028 academic year.
About 8,000 undocumented students graduate from high schools in Florida each year, Axios notes, citing data from the Higher Ed Immigration Portal.
The Florida measure is just the latest in a series of steps the state has taken – or plans to take – to restrict access to public higher education for undocumented students in the state. For instance, in 2025, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law that ends in-state tuition for undocumented students to attend public institutions.
Florida stands in stark contrast to states such as California, where the law ensures access to higher education regardless of immigration status, and undocumented students are eligible for in-state tuition.
Beyond the measure approved Wednesday, Florida may take even more steps to further restrict education for undocumented students. The state Board of Education is set to vote June 30 on a measure that would require students to be U.S. citizens or “lawfully present” in the United States in order to enroll in an adult general education program.
