Florida Lawmakers Consider Foreign Student Caps at Public Colleges

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Key takeaways

  • GOP plans would bar undocumented students from Florida public colleges
  • Another proposal would cap foreign student enrollment at 10% of total enrollment
  • Democrats call the measures political and unnecessary
  • Republicans say voters want to prioritize U.S. citizens
  • Only three states currently ban undocumented students: Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina

Table of Contents

Overview

Florida lawmakers are considering measures that would restrict college admissions to non-U.S. citizens and immigrants who are lawfully present in the country. The 2026 legislative session kicks off with Republicans pushing policies tied to immigration and higher education.

GOP plan would bar undocumented students from public colleges

One GOP-sponsored proposal would effectively block undocumented students from enrolling in Florida’s public colleges and universities. Florida GOP Chairman Evan Power said, Our country has been invaded by illegal immigrants. We want those people out. The context notes that only three states currently ban undocumented students: Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina.

Cap foreign students at 10% of enrollment

A separate GOP-sponsored proposal would cap foreign student enrollment at public colleges and universities, limiting non-U.S. citizens to no more than 10% of a school’s total student body.

Reactions and perspectives

Democrats argue the bills are political and do little to address the state’s real challenges. Orlando Democratic State Rep. Anna Eskamani said, These bills don’t do any of that.

Context and data

According to the Higher Ed Immigration Portal, only three states currently ban undocumented students from public colleges and universities — Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina.

Legislative session kicks off

The 2026 legislative session kicks off Tuesday, and lawmakers are weighing AI policy and other education issues as part of the session’s broader agenda.

As Florida weighs these policy levers, advocates say the outcome could impact access to public higher education for non-U.S. citizens and international students, reflecting a broader national debate on immigration at the state level.

Source: https://mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2026/01/08/florida-lawmakers-consider-foreign-student-caps