Florida lawmaker introduces bill to require DACA students to pay out-of-state tuition

Florida Sen. Randy Fine, a Republican, has introduced a bill to 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 subsidize tuition for students who are not legally in the country. and said a policy passed in 2014 that offered Florida tuition at $45 million per year

Under SB 90, DACA students will no longer be eligible for in-state tuition. This costs an average of $6,143 for the 2024-2025 academic year, according to the Florida State University System. For example, the University of Florida costs $6,381 for in-state tuition but $28,658 for out-of-state tuition, according to U.S. News & World Report.

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Florida Sen. Randy Fine has introduced a bill to require high school graduates with DACA status to pay out-of-state tuition for college. (Getty Images)

“At a time when Floridians are struggling to make ends meet, It is unfair to require them to pay $45 million a year to subsidize couples deals for college degrees for people who shouldn’t even be here,” Fine said in a statement.

“This is a simple method. In reducing the size of government and increasing resources to help Floridians in need,” he continued, “we must put Floridians first. And I am proud to do my part to rebalance that for our citizens.”

The bill would not alter the admissions policies of Florida’s 12 public universities and 28 public colleges.

The bill would not alter the admissions policies of Florida’s 12 public universities and 28 public colleges. (Getty Images)

State Rep. Anna Eskamani, a Democrat, has voiced strong opposition to the bill. It argued that the proposed changes would create significant financial barriers for students who have lived in Florida for most of their lives.

“These are students who know the United States. Just the hometown,” Eskamani said. Fox 13–

Eskamani also noted that many DACA students do not qualify for scholarships and are already at a financial disadvantage.

Fine stated that the law is about “Ensuring that people who should not be in the country will not receive educational discounts,” according to Fox 13.

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The fine alleges that the state cannot 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 have failed. But Democrats are concerned that the country’s increased focus on immigration issues, such as President Donald Trump, has promised mass deportations in his second term. It may create impetus for the draft law this time.

“I am concerned that this policy might not work this year,” Eskamani said.

Fine, who joined the state Senate last month. Resigning from the Legislative Assembly Effective March 31, he can therefore run for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. It is expected that the US representative Will retire Michael Waltz, R-Fla., who was nominated by Trump to be White House national security adviser.