Florida's new education chief moves to block undocumented students from job-training programs
A new rule would stop undocumented students from joining career and technical education programs that train people for jobs in fields like health care, farming, and construction.
Florida's new education commissioner, Henry Mack, has taken one of his first major steps in office by pushing forward a rule that would keep undocumented students out of the state's career and technical education programs, known as CTE. These programs teach students skills for jobs in fields such as health care, farming, construction, and transportation. Mack signed the rule change on Thursday, but it still needs to be approved by the State Board of Education before it becomes official. The board is set to vote on it at a meeting next month.
CTE programs help students get ready for many different careers. They offer training at middle schools, high schools, district technical colleges, and state colleges across Florida. During the 2025–2026 school year, about 512,000 students were enrolled in postsecondary CTE programs. More than 137,000 degrees, certificates, and industry credentials were awarded through these programs.
The new rule would affect several types of programs. These include associate degree programs in applied science and science, career certificate programs, applied technology diploma programs, apprenticeships, and dual enrollment programs. Dual enrollment lets high school students take college-level classes at the same time. Under the rule, students would need to prove they are a U.S. citizen or are lawfully present in the country before they can be admitted.
This is not the first action Florida has taken to limit educational opportunities for undocumented immigrants. Earlier this summer, the State Board of Education approved a separate measure that would stop undocumented students from attending Florida's 28 public colleges. Together, these moves show a clear pattern of the state restricting access to public education for people who are not legally authorized to be in the country.
Henry Mack was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis in July. He replaced Anastasios Kamoutsas, who left to become president of Polk State College. Before becoming commissioner, Mack worked as the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor. From 2019 to 2023, he led Florida's career and technical education efforts and publicly supported DeSantis' education policies on social media.
Florida's State University System Board of Governors is also looking at a new rule that would make students who are not lawfully in the U.S. unable to enroll at any of the state's 12 universities. That rule would start with the 2027–2028 school year if it is approved. It does not apply to students outside the U.S. who take online classes. The Board of Governors is scheduled to meet on September 2 at Florida Gulf Coast University to discuss the matter.
The State Board of Education will take up the CTE rule at its next meeting on September 16 at Polk State College in Winter Haven. If the board approves it, the rule will go into effect and change who can sign up for these popular job-training programs. Many students and families across Florida are watching closely to see what happens next.
Students applying to the CTE programs would have to attest and provide documentation that they are a citizen or lawfully present in the U.S. before admission.
Comprehension quiz preview
1. Who signed the rule change that would block undocumented students from CTE programs?
2. How many postsecondary CTE students were enrolled in Florida during the 2025–2026 school year?
3. When is the State Board of Education scheduled to vote on the CTE rule?