A family in immigration court at the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building on Jan. 28, in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Florida is moving to bar illegal immigrants from taxpayer-funded trade and career schools, expanding the state’s restrictions on public education as officials prioritize citizens and legal residents for workforce training.
The Florida State Board of Education approved a rule Sept. 16 requiring applicants to prove U.S. citizenship or lawful presence before enrolling in certain postsecondary career and technical education programs.
The rule applies to programs preparing students for jobs in skilled trades and other high-demand fields, including HVAC, welding, plumbing, electrical work, information technology, healthcare support, and automotive repair.
Writing for The Federalist, Owen E. Richason IV said Florida’s move addresses a basic question over who should benefit from taxpayer-funded workforce programs.
“Prioritizing legal residents is basic stewardship of limited dollars, not cruelty,” Richason wrote.
Florida has poured millions of taxpayer dollars into career and technical education as part of its push to steer more workers toward in-demand jobs, including positions that do not require a four-year college degree.
Richason argued those training slots should go to Americans and people legally in the country who can immediately enter the workforce rather than illegal immigrants who could face removal.
“The answer, however, is not to keep seats open for people who may be deported or barred from employment; it is to make sure citizens, green-card holders, and other lawfully present residents can get into these important programs,” he wrote.
The policy has reportedly drawn opposition from teachers’ unions and immigration advocates, who argue it unfairly closes off educational opportunities and could further strain a workforce already facing shortages in skilled trades.
Richason countered that taxpayer-funded career programs are intended to build a stable workforce and should therefore prioritize people legally authorized to live and work in the United States.
The trade-school move is the latest step in Florida’s broader effort to restrict illegal immigrants from taxpayer-supported higher education.
Earlier this month, Florida’s Board of Governors unanimously voted to bar illegal immigrants from initial enrollment at the state’s 12 public universities beginning with the 2027-28 academic year, the News Service of Florida reported.
The move followed a June vote by the State Board of Education requiring students at Florida’s 28 public colleges to prove U.S. citizenship or lawful presence and barring illegal immigrants from adult general education programs.
Richason said other states struggling to fill jobs in construction, healthcare, and technical fields should consider following Florida’s lead rather than using limited training capacity for people without legal status.
“Solving the nationwide technical workforce shortages requires investing in a stable labor pool, not training individuals barred from legal employment and subject to deportation,” Richason wrote.
“By prioritizing citizens and legal residents for taxpayer-funded trade education, states can safeguard their economies and protect legal residents,” he added.
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