Florida is proposing a rule that should be so obvious it wouldn't need proposing — requiring proof of U.S. citizenship to attend the state's public colleges. But in 2026 America, common sense is revolutionary, and the Sunshine State keeps leading the charge.
Wait, you mean taxpayer-funded universities should be for... taxpayers? Somebody get the smelling salts for the open-borders crowd.
The proposed rule, designated 6A-10.0240, would apply to all 28 public colleges in Florida, as reported by The College Fix. The State Board of Education is scheduled to take up the measure at its June 30 meeting. If approved, illegal immigrants would be blocked from enrolling in institutions funded by Florida families who actually pay into the system.
Cassie Edwards, Director of Communications for the Florida Department of Education, laid it out plainly: "The Florida Department of Education is committed to ensuring that those receiving tax-funded educational benefits are lawfully present." No ambiguity. No weasel words. Just policy that matches what every normal person already believes.
The rule would also prevent illegal immigrants from receiving an out-of-state tuition waiver — meaning even the back door is getting bolted shut.
Naturally, the professional grievance industry is losing its collective mind.
Renata Bozzetto, Deputy Director of the Florida Immigrant Coalition, called the proposed rule a plan to "drastically transform Florida's 28 public colleges into immigration enforcement gatekeepers." She accused the state of "using a backdoor procedure to implement its wicked agenda." Wicked agenda. That's what they're calling "Americans first in American schools" now.
Bozzetto also claimed that "our higher education system thrives when opportunities for enrollment are created." Sure — opportunities for people who are actually here legally, maybe.
Thomas Kennedy, a policy consultant with the same coalition, argued that "the argument that these immigrant students are taking the spot of a U.S. citizen is also without merit." He went on to call the rule "cruel to the students" and "destructive to Florida's economy." Destructive. Because apparently Florida's economy will collapse if people who broke the law to enter the country can't get subsidized degrees.
Here's a fun detail Kennedy probably wishes he'd left out of the conversation: 21 states currently offer in-state tuition access for undocumented immigrants. Florida decided it didn't want to be number 22. Good.
Norín Dollard, a Senior Policy Analyst at the Florida Policy Institute, tried a different angle, claiming the rule would "appear to be unconstitutional" because "it is not within the purview of the executive agencies, such as the Florida Department of Education, to legislate." Interesting argument — especially considering that two bills addressing this issue failed during the 2026 legislative session. So when the legislature won't act, the executive branch steps up. That's not unconstitutional. That's leadership.
Meanwhile, Florida's public colleges are already dealing with an 11 percent enrollment decline below pre-pandemic levels — approximately 36,000 fewer students. The left wants you to believe that filling those empty seats with illegal immigrants is the answer. Florida says no. Fill them with Americans.
This is what happens when a state actually governs like it means it. No virtue signaling. No hand-wringing. Just a straightforward question: are you an American citizen? Yes? Welcome aboard. No? There are 21 other states that'll roll out the red carpet for you.
Florida keeps doing what other states won't even whisper about. And it keeps working.
