In brief
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has enacted a law permitting him and other state leaders to label any group as a domestic or foreign terrorist organization. This law allows the expulsion of state university students who support such organizations, raising alarms about potential infringement on free speech rights. Critics believe the legislation's vague wording could restrict educational programs and criminalize criticism of state officials.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a measure into law on Monday that equips state leaders, including himself, with the authority to designate groups as domestic or foreign terrorist organizations. This legislation is aimed at expelling state university students who support such organizations.The law, which has drawn heavy criticism from free speech advocates, enables top officials at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to designate a group as a terrorist entity, with final approval required from the governor and three members of the Florida Cabinet, which includes the state attorney general, the chief financial officer, and the agriculture commissioner—all of whom are elected separately.Once a group is labeled as a terrorist organization, it can be dissolved, losing access to state funding via school districts or other state agencies. Additionally, universities will need to report the immigration status of expelled students to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).At a news conference in Tampa, DeSantis asserted, “So this will help the state of Florida protect you. It’ll help us protect your tax dollars... and certainly shouldn’t be happening in the free state of Florida.”This measure follows a previous designation by DeSantis in December when he labeled the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations. A federal judge recently blocked the enforcement of another executive order issued by DeSantis.In response to the new law, PEN America, a prominent free speech advocacy group, criticized the vague language that could severely limit educational programs perceived as “promoting” terrorism. PEN America’s Florida director, William Johnson, mentioned, “The implications are fraught,” warning that the law could chill educational fervor across the state.In summary, DeSantis's latest legislation has raised significant concerns about its potential impact on free speech and the educational environment in Florida.
