Florida State Sen. Randy Fine, a Republican, has proposed a bill that would require high school graduates with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, status to pay out-of-state tuition for college.
Fine claims the state cannot afford to subsidize tuition for students who are not in the country legally, and says the policy passed in 2014 offers them in-state tuition. Florida costs $45 million annually.
Under SB 90, DACA students would no longer be eligible for in-state tuition, which costs an average of $6,143 for the 2024-2025 academic year, according to the Florida State University System. The University of Florida, for example, has in-state tuition of $6,381, but out-of-state tuition of $28,658, according to US News & World Report.
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Florida State Sen. Randy Fine has proposed a bill that would require high school graduates with DACA status to pay out-of-state tuition for college. (Getty Images)
“While blue-collar Floridians struggle to make ends meet, it's not fair to ask them to pay $45 million a year to subsidize college degree deals for those who shouldn't even be here,” Fine said in a statement.
“This is a common-sense way to reduce the size of government and free up resources to help Floridians in need,” he continued. “We must put Floridians first, and I am proud to do my part to restore balance for our citizens.”
The bill would not change the admissions policies of 12 Florida states Public universities and 28 public colleges.
The bill would not amend admissions policies at Florida's 12 public universities and 28 state colleges. (Getty Images)
State Rep. Anna Eskamani, a Democrat, expressed strong opposition to the bill, arguing that the proposed change would create significant financial barriers for students who have lived in Florida most of their lives.
“These are students who have only known the United States as their homeland,” Eskamani said, according to what was reported by the British newspaper The Independent. Fox 13.
Eskamani also noted that many DACA students do not qualify for scholarships and are already at a financial disadvantage.
Fine argues that the legislation is about “ensuring that people who shouldn't be in the country don't get a discounted education,” Fox 13 reported.
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Fine claims the state cannot afford to subsidize tuition for students who are not in the country legally. (Getty Images)
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Fine's previous attempts to pass Similar legislation The bill isn't completed, but Democrats worry that an increased national focus on immigration issues, such as President-elect Trump's promise of mass deportations in his second term, could give the bill momentum this time around.
“I'm concerned that this policy may have an impact this year,” Eskamani said.
Fine, who joined the state Senate last month, will resign from the Legislature, effective March 31, so he can run for the U.S. House seat that is expected to be vacated by U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., who has been nominated. By Trump to be National Security Advisor in the White House.
