Florida's new education commissioner advances rule to bar undocumented students from CTE programs

In one of his first moves as education commissioner, Henry Mack has advanced a rule that would block undocumented students from attending the state's postsecondary career and technical education (CTE) programs.

The programs train students in a wide variety of career fields and industries, including entry-level and management positions in agriculture, health care, energy, transportation, tourism, and construction.

Mack, who was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in July, signed off on the rule change on Thursday. It now must be approved by the State Board of Education, which will hold a meeting on the matter next month, to take effect.

It's one of several actions the state has taken in recent months to bar undocumented immigrants from public education opportunities. Earlier this summer, the State Board of Education approved a measure that would also prevent undocumented students from attending the state's 28 public colleges.

Mack took over as commissioner from Anastasios Kamoutsas, who left to become president of Polk State College. He was most recently the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor. From 2019 to 2023, Mack led the state's career and technical education initiatives and repeatedly publicly supported DeSantis' parental rights policies on social media.

According to the Department of Education, there were 512,000 postsecondary CTE students during the 2025-2026 school year, and more than 137,000 degrees, certificates and industry credentials were awarded through programs in the Florida College System.

The rule will affect students applying to associate in applied science and associate in science degree programs; career certificate programs; applied technology diploma programs; apprenticeships; and dual enrollment programs.

The state offers CTE programs in middle schools, high schools, district technical colleges, and state colleges.

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.

The State Board of Education will consider the issue at its next meeting on Sept. 16 at Polk State College in Winter Haven.

The State University System Board of Governors is also considering a new rule that would make students who are not lawfully present in the U.S. ineligible for enrollment at any of the 12 state universities beginning with the 2027-2028 academic year.

The rule does not apply to students located outside the U.S. who attend online classes and has not yet been formally approved by the board.

The next Board of Governors meeting is scheduled for Sept. 2 at Florida Gulf Coast University.