Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a law allowing Florida officials to designate groups as domestic or foreign terrorist organizations and expel state university students who support them.The measure, signed Monday, gives the governor, along with other state leaders, the power to approve or reject such designations. A senior Florida Department of Law Enforcement official may designate a group as a domestic or foreign terrorist organization, subject to approval.Florida’s cabinet, which includes the attorney general, chief financial officer and agriculture commissioner, will participate in the decision-making process. Associated Press.
Impact on organizations and funding
Once a group is declared a terrorist organization, it can be dissolved. It would also be ineligible for state funding through school districts or state agencies.The law allows universities to expel students who support such designated groups. It also requires institutions to report the visa status of expelled students to United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Governor’s statement
Speaking at a news conference in Tampa, DeSantis said the law is meant to protect the state.“So this will help the state of Florida protect you. It will help us protect your tax dollars.” A.P “This will help us protect things that shouldn’t be in the United States of America, but certainly shouldn’t be in the free state of Florida.”
Criticism from free speech groups
The law has been criticized by freedom of speech advocates. PEN America, a free speech advocacy group, said the new law contains vague language that could limit educational programs that “promote” terrorism and could target student protesters critical of Florida officials.William Johnson, Florida director of PEN America, said the new law “could chill education at all levels.” “The implications are fraught,” A.P ReportsIn December, DeSantis designated the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations. A federal judge last month temporarily halted the implementation of the executive order.
