Reporter: Camila Pereira
•6/25/2026
FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK)—The Florida Board of Governors adopted a ruling Thursday morning that would bar students who are in the United States unlawfully from enrolling in Florida public universities.
According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, unlawful presence means any period of time a person is present in the United States without being admitted, paroled, or remaining after their authorized period of stay expires.
WINK News reporter Camila Pereira went to Florida Gulf Coast University to see how students are feeling about the proposed change.
FGCU may look a little emptier these days, but it didn't stop Polina Polkova and Katie Marrotta from starting classes this summer.
"It's been pretty good. It's more like getting settled, and we moved into our dorm room," Polkova and Marrotta said. "It's been nice to meet a lot of classmates on campus, and I've already made a good couple of friends."
The college experience may soon be out of reach for some incoming students.
"The amendment to regulation 6.001 is our general admissions regulation. It prioritizes the enrollment of Florida residents," said Emily Sikes, vice chancellor for academic and student affairs for the State University System of Florida. "It requires the universities to verify lawful presence before initial enrollment of students beginning in the 27-28 academic year."
A ruling was proposed to the Florida Board of Governors on Thursday that would bar undocumented students from enrolling at state public universities. The board motioned to adopt the ruling.
Students at FGCU said it's not right.
"I feel sad because they deprive in other students of opportunities to learn, to communicate with other people, and to see how other people live," Polkova and Marrotta said.
"I definitely think everyone should have an opportunity to go to college and get an education," Polkova and Marrotta said.
Borders to Bridges, an FGCU student-led group, shared a statement saying they are "deeply concerned and disappointed by this proposed ruling." They "believe it creates additional barriers for students seeking higher education."
The statement went on to say college is not just an academic space for these students; it is a gateway to economic mobility and long-term stability.
Despite its adoption, the board had some concerns. During the meeting, a board member asked about international students paying out-of-state tuition, noting the regulation, as drafted, doesn't have a carve-out for those situations.
The board discussed changing the ruling to apply only to those who are present in the United States unlawfully.
FGCU said it does not comment on proposed changes or pending votes of the board. According to the agenda item, if no public concerns are raised, the proposed ruling will be presented to the Board of Governors for a final vote at their next meeting in September, which is expected to be held on campus at FGCU.
