Florida’s SB 846 restricts academic jobs for Chinese students

Key Takeaways

• SB 846 bans Florida universities from hiring students from seven countries, including China, unless granted special permission.
• A federal judge blocked parts of SB 846 in 2025, allowing F-1 visa students to regain campus jobs.
• Florida appealed the ruling, leaving students, faculty, and universities uncertain about future employment rules.

In 2023, Florida passed a law called SB 846. This law targeted students and scholars from China and six other countries. These countries include Cuba, Venezuela, Syria, Iran, Russia, and North Korea. The law stopped universities and colleges in Florida from hiring people from these countries unless they got special permission. The goal, according to leaders like Governor Ron DeSantis, was to protect the state from what they called “nefarious foreign-government influence.” The focus was especially on China, and authorities said they wanted to prevent spying or other threats. However, this move has led to lawsuits, court rulings, protests, and wider effects on both students and teachers in Florida. It has also fueled a bigger debate about discrimination, fairness, and academic freedom in the United States 🇺🇸.

Background: Why Florida Passed SB 846

Governor Ron DeSantis has made it clear that he believes foreign governments, especially the Chinese Communist Party, could try to influence Florida’s schools and research. In 2023, he supported SB 846 as part of a larger group of laws aimed at reducing ties with “countries of concern.” This included not just China but also countries like Iran, Russia, and North Korea. State officials said the main goal was to stop unwanted influence or spying in schools and public research labs.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the state took these steps after hearing about worries nationwide that some countries might try to get sensitive technology or information from schools in the United States 🇺🇸. While Florida’s leaders said the law was about safety, others called it unfair and harmful for students and professors who had nothing to do with foreign governments.

Key Details of SB 846

The key parts of SB 846 are strict. It says that universities and colleges funded by the state cannot hire people from seven different countries for most jobs. That means even if a Chinese student is smart, hardworking, and gets permission to study and work from the federal government, they still can’t get a job as a teaching assistant or research assistant in Florida unless top state officials make a special exception.

The law also blocks new partnerships between Florida schools and universities or groups from these seven countries. These partnerships could include research projects, student exchange programs, or shared conferences.

For many students, this law was a big blow. Graduate students from China and the other listed countries often depend on jobs at their universities. Jobs like teaching assistantships not only let students earn money, but they also cover tuition costs, making it possible for them to finish their degrees. With SB 846, many faced losing both their income and their chance to earn a degree.

Who Is Affected?

The people most affected by SB 846 are:

• International students from the listed countries, especially those on F-1 visas.
• Professors, researchers, and university staff from those countries.
• Whole departments and research projects that count on international talent.
• The universities themselves, since they often need top people in areas like science and agriculture.

For example, Florida International University and the University of Florida both rely on graduate students from around the world. When SB 846 took effect, Chinese students—and those from the other targeted countries—saw job offers and work contracts canceled. Some had already worked for months or years but suddenly could not continue.

The Lawsuit and Court Ruling

As soon as SB 846 took effect, affected students and professors challenged it in court. In March 2024, two Chinese doctoral students at Florida International University and a professor at the University of Florida filed a lawsuit. Their main claim was that the new law was unfair, discriminatory, and went against U.S. laws about who is allowed to work or study in the United States 🇺🇸. They also said the law went against the U.S. Constitution, which gives the federal government—not states—the main power to decide on immigration and national security.

The court agreed with many of these arguments. In March 2025, U.S. District Judge Jose Martinez approved a preliminary injunction. This meant the state could not enforce parts of SB 846, at least for now. The judge wrote that Florida cannot stop universities from employing students who already have federal F-1 visas to work in those jobs. He explained that the U.S. government, not any state, is in charge of decisions about national security and who can come to study or work in America.

Magistrate Judge Eduardo Sanchez’s recommendations were also key. He pointed out that only federal officials can decide which foreign nationals are real threats to national security. States do not have this power, so Florida’s effort to single out workers from certain countries could not stand.

Impact of the Ruling

The court’s decision did not just help the two students who filed the lawsuit. It helped all international students at Florida schools who faced similar job cuts. The court ruling was clear: if a student has federal permission to work, a state cannot say no just because of where the student is from. For now, these students can keep—or get back—the on-campus jobs they lost after SB 846 became law. This applies to teaching assistantships, research assistant posts, and similar jobs.

Still, the fight is not over. Florida quickly filed an appeal, meaning a higher court will look at the issue again. This leaves students and colleges uncertain about what will happen next.

SB 846 and Faculty Dismissals

SB 846’s effects are not limited to students. Faculty and professors have also been affected. For example, early in 2025, New College of Florida fired Professor Kevin Wang, who came to the United States 🇺🇸 as a Chinese asylum seeker. Wang had legal permission to work, but because of SB 846, he lost his job. The case drew national attention and sparked strong reactions. Advocates for academic freedom said Florida’s policy went too far. They said it risked sending the wrong message about who belongs in higher education.

Other faculty members say SB 846 is making it much harder to hire the best researchers and teachers, especially in science, math, and engineering. Many of the brightest minds in these fields originally came from China, Iran, Russia, or other targeted countries. Fear of losing their jobs might push them to look elsewhere—hurting research and teaching in Florida.

Impact on Academic Collaboration

SB 846 also blocks new partnerships between Florida universities and those in the targeted countries. This means fewer chances for international research projects, student exchanges, or joint classes. These collaborations are key for advances in areas like science, health, and agriculture. With less teamwork, Florida’s universities risk falling behind other states and countries. This could make it harder for Florida to compete as a center for research.

Timeline of Key Events

Below is a summary table showing the main actions and dates linked to SB 846:

Ongoing Debate and Public Reaction

SB 846 sparked strong debate across Florida and the United States. Proponents say the law is needed to keep out unwanted influence or even spying from countries that might act against the United States 🇺🇸’ interests. Governor Ron DeSantis and his supporters argue that it is better to be safe and cautious, especially when it comes to research about sensitive topics.

Critics say the law promotes discrimination and bias against Chinese students and scholars—as well as people from the other countries on the list. They worry that treating people differently just because of where they are from is unfair. This view is shared by human rights groups and many academic leaders. They also worry that laws like SB 846 will make it harder for the United States 🇺🇸 to attract the best and brightest researchers from around the world.

Broader Implications for the United States and Education

The Florida case is important for the whole country. Tensions between the United States 🇺🇸 and China are at a high point, with both countries concerned about spying and control over information. Other states are watching Florida’s experiment closely. If courts let SB 846 stand, similar laws could appear in other places.

Academic leaders warn that these kinds of laws send a bad message to international students and researchers. If bright, talented people feel unwelcome, they may choose to study or work elsewhere. This could mean fewer discoveries, slower progress, and lost jobs in the United States 🇺🇸. America’s status as a top place for higher education and research could be at risk.

At the same time, if universities do not have tools to protect against real threats, the country’s safety could suffer. The challenge is finding the right balance—guarding against danger, but also staying open to ideas and people from every corner of the world.

Implementation and What Happens Next

Because a federal judge said that Florida could not enforce SB 846 against F-1 student workers, universities have had to respond quickly. Many are offering jobs back to students, but with the state appealing the ruling, no one knows if this protection will last. Some faculty members and researchers remain at risk. The possibility of future legal changes still hangs over the academic community.

While waiting for further court decisions, university leaders are giving legal advice to students and faculty. They say it is important for anyone with questions about their work or visa status to speak to an immigration lawyer or legal support office on campus.

Differences from Previous Practice

Before SB 846, decisions about who could be hired as a teaching or research assistant were based mostly on federal rules. If a student from another country had an F-1 visa, they could work for their school without much trouble. SB 846 added complicated state rules on top of the federal process, making it harder and more confusing for students and colleges.

The 2025 court ruling said states cannot add their own barriers when someone already has legal federal permission to work. This set an important legal principle, at least for now, in Florida.

Possible Legal Challenges

SB 846’s future now depends on the results of several court battles. If higher courts agree with Judge Martinez and Magistrate Judge Sanchez, SB 846 could be blocked for good, at least as it concerns student workers. But if a higher court reverses the ruling, students, faculty, and universities may once again face unclear rules.

Meanwhile, similar debates about discrimination, fairness, and security keep happening across the country. Many experts feel that only the federal government should decide who is a risk—not individual states. This is to prevent a patchwork of laws that could drive away talented people and make the United States 🇺🇸 less attractive for international students.

Advice and Next Steps

For students and staff affected by SB 846, it is wise to stay updated on the latest legal developments. Anyone concerned about their job or visa status should contact a legal professional or a university international office. Keeping good records and written communications is also important.

For those looking for more details on current immigration and employment rules in Florida and nationwide, the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website offers updated information for students on F-1 and similar visas.

In summary, SB 846 is a major shift in how Florida handles the hiring of Chinese and other foreign students in its public colleges and universities. While part of the law is now blocked, the story is not over. Courts will soon decide if Florida can keep these strict limits in place, or if federal rules will win out. This case could have ripple effects far beyond Florida, shaping how the United States 🇺🇸 tackles the question of fairness, security, and openness in its academic world.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information only. If you have questions about your own situation, please contact a licensed immigration lawyer or qualified advisor.

Learn Today

SB 846 → A 2023 Florida law restricting university employment and partnerships for people from specific foreign countries, especially China.
F-1 Visa → A type of U.S. student visa that allows international students to study and work on campus in the United States.
Preliminary Injunction → A court order that temporarily blocks enforcement of a law during ongoing legal proceedings.
Academic Freedom → The principle allowing scholars and students to research, teach, and discuss ideas without undue restriction.
National Security → Measures a nation takes to protect against espionage, threats, or foreign influence, often cited in immigration policy.

This Article in a Nutshell

Florida’s SB 846 law blocks university jobs for students from certain countries—mainly China—citing security concerns. In 2025, a federal court paused parts of the law, letting F-1 visa students work on campus again. Still pending appeal, the law sparks debate about discrimination, security, and academic freedom nationwide.
— By VisaVerge.com

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