Florida universities are losing millions in funding after the state ended in‑state tuition for undocumented students. Miguel “Mike” Fernandez withdrew $10 million from Miami Dade College and $1 million from Florida International University. TheDream.US scholarship program also pulled support from eight institutions, impacting over 600 students.
Fernandez, a Cuban-American philanthropist and Vietnam veteran, criticized the policy rollback as exclusionary. He demanded tuition policy reversal before restoring his donation, writing, “I cannot remain silent while thousands of Florida’s young residents are excluded from the opportunity to experience higher education.”
TheDream.US—co-founded by former Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez—cut scholarships and said Florida’s action ran “against the values” of its mission. The program also withheld future donations under the same condition.
Legal experts warn institutions may face federal consequences if they accede to demands. Enforcement of the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act prohibits public colleges from offering in-state tuition to illegal immigrants when out-of-state U.S. citizens are denied the same. Schools could lose federal funds or face criminal prosecution for noncompliance.
