There is something fundamentally wrong about denying a young person access to higher education. It goes against our values as Floridians and as Americans. We have long believed that hard work, perseverance and personal responsibility should be rewarded, not punished.
Read more Commentary: As America turns 250, rediscover the spirit of ’76
More than a decade ago, Republican leaders in Florida recognized that reality. A Republican governor and a Republican-controlled Legislature came together around a policy that made it possible for “Dreamers” who grew up in Florida, and attended Florida schools, and called this state home to access in-state tuition and afford higher education. They understood that investing in these students was not only the right thing to do, but also the smart thing to do for Florida’s future.
Last year, the repeal of in-state tuition made it nearly impossible for most Dreamers to afford college in our state — they are ineligible for federal financial aid, like Pell Grants, and are barred from Florida’s Bright Futures merit scholarship. Now, the Florida Board of Governors and State Board of Education are attempting to go even further and have advanced new rules to ban Dreamers from attending state colleges and universities entirely.
In 2026, when a lawmaker introduced a bill proposing a Dreamer ban, the Florida Legislature chose not to enact the bill. They understood that denying someone access to education was a step too far, inconsistent with our values, and fundamentally un-American. Now, the Board of Governors and Board of Education are attempting to circumvent the will of the legislature by moving the proposed ban forward, toward a final vote in September.
Notably, the Florida College System’s self-described mission makes a case against the Dreamer ban, noting their purpose is to “provide access to high-quality, affordable academic and career educational programs that maximize student learning and success, develop a globally competitive workforce and respond rapidly to diverse state and community needs.”
Let’s remember who these students are and why all of us should care about their futures and opportunities. Dreamers are immigrants without legal status who came to our state as children, grew up here, whose families pay taxes, and who earned spots at Florida institutions after succeeding and graduating from Florida’s K-12 schools. At TheDream.US, the organization I lead, the average age our Florida Scholars and Alumni came to this state is just six years old.
Read more Here’s what $3 million bought a real estate agent in Celebration
When given the opportunity for higher education, our scholars and alumni and other Dreamers have thrived. Our Florida graduates are now working as nurses, doctors, teachers, engineers, and in other essential occupations. It’s a reminder that the proposed Dreamer ban wouldn’t just be harmful for their futures, but for the future of our whole state.
The Dreamer ban would be cruel and counterproductive for Florida, hurting students who have done everything asked of them and hurting Florida’s workforce and economic vitality. And it sends a troubling message that educational opportunity can be taken away from young people who have grown up in our communities through political maneuvering rather than the democratic process. And by attempting an end-run around the Legislature in looking to enact the Dreamer ban, its backers are disrespecting the democratic process and the people’s elected representatives.
What makes our state great is creating opportunities, not denying them. The stories and statistics about our hundreds of Florida scholars and alumni make clear that policies empowering state Dreamers’ education and opportunities don’t just help the students and their families, but the entire state.
Florida’s future depends on developing talent wherever it is found, not shutting doors on Florida students who have so much to contribute.
Gaby Pacheco is a Miami resident and president and CEO of TheDream.US, a program opening immigration pathways for Dreamers nationwide.
Read more A Florida mining company helped fund Trump’s Freedom 250