Florida bill would ban public colleges from admitting undocumented students

Undocumented immigrants in Florida could be barred from attending public universities if a sweeping new education bill passes the state Legislature.

The 32-page SB 1052, filed Monday by Republican Sen. Erin Grall of Vero Beach, would require public colleges and universities to admit only students who are citizens of the United States or are lawfully present in the country.

The proposal would also block immigrants who are in the country illegally from enrolling in state-funded adult general education programs. These programs include GED courses and English as a second language classes designed to help adult learners gain the skills needed to enter and succeed in postsecondary education, according to the Department of Education.

The bill builds on a provision included in a February 2025 law that eliminated in-state tuition for undocumented college students.

Grall’s proposal comes amid a broader crackdown on undocumented immigration that intensified in early 2025 after President Donald Trump returned to office. His administration implemented a deportation quota for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, raised fees for certain work visas, and backed states such as Florida that are developing their own detention centers.

Florida also became the first and only state to require all 67 counties to enter into 287(g) agreements, which are partnerships between state or local governments and ICE.

SB 1052, which does not yet have a companion bill in the House, would also remove the requirement for a gender-equity plan in intercollegiate athletics.

While the measure would still require universities to comply with Title IX’s ban on discrimination in athletic programs, the Florida College System would no longer need to create plans addressing equity in sports offerings, participation, facility access, scholarship distribution, or funding for administration, recruitment, coaching, publicity, and other support costs.

The change would rewrite a state law enacted in 2001 that required these plans as an extension of Title IX protections.

The bill also includes a waiver for certain tuition fees for active members of the Florida State Guard.

Grall’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The 2026 legislative session is scheduled to begin Jan. 13.

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