Florida lawmakers have introduced a bill that would ban illegal immigrants from attending some public colleges and universities.
Republican state Sen. Randy Fine introduced the legislation a day after Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis called for a special legislative session to help advance President-elect Trump's immigration agenda.
"Is it fair to allow illegal immigrants to take positions that Floridians or Americans can take? I don't think it's fair," Fine said.
Fine's bill would ban public colleges and universities with admission rates below 85% from enrolling students who are in the country illegally, including the University of Florida, Florida State University, the University of Central Florida and Florida International University.
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And then - Rep. South Brevard County Republican Randy Fine wraps up a gambling bill during a special session on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Associated Press)
According to the Pew Research Center, an estimated 1.2 million illegal immigrants live in Florida.
Illegal immigrant students in the United States are currently eligible for in-state tuition at public colleges and universities. Fine also recently introduced a bill that would require high school graduates with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status to pay out-of-state tuition.
About 6,500 immigrant students in the U.S. illegally will be eligible for out-of-state tuition waivers at in-state public colleges and universities during the 2023-2024 school year, according to the nonprofit Florida Policy Institute.
According to the National Immigration Law Center, three states ban at least U.S. students from attending certain colleges illegally, while half allow such students to qualify for in-state tuition.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks during the Iowa Republican Party's 2023 Lincoln Dinner at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa, on July 28, 2023. (Sergio Flores/AFP via Getty Images)
DeSantis plans to hold a special session a week after Trump's Jan. 20 inauguration to provide funding to address illegal immigration, including detention and resettlement. The governor said the state must work to support Trump's pledge to address illegal immigration and ensure "we don't have any lingering incentives for people to come into our state illegally."
In a Truth Society post on Tuesday, Trump thanked DeSantis for calling the special session and said he "hopes other governors will follow suit!"
But the governor has faced criticism from Republican leaders in the Legislature, who called his call for a special session "premature" and "irresponsible."
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The bill would prohibit public colleges and universities with admission rates below 85% from enrolling students who are in the country illegally. (Getty Images)
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Fine is among Republican lawmakers who have vowed to support Trump and his agenda but have criticized the governor's push for a special session as too hasty.
"This doesn't come with a robust bill package for us to consider," Fine told reporters. "Do you want to call a special session? Give me the bill you want me to vote for."
Fine, who joined the state Senate in November, will resign from the Legislature on March 31 so that he can run for the U.S. House seat expected to be vacated by nominated Florida Republican Rep. Michael Waltz out. Trump appointed him national security adviser.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.