Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Controversial Law Allowing Designation of Terrorist Groups and Student Expulsions

TAMPA, Florida (International Desk) — Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis signed a contentious bill into law on Monday (April 6, 2026), granting state officials broad powers to designate groups as domestic or foreign terrorist organizations and to expel public university students who support them.
The legislation (House Bill 1471) empowers the Chief of Domestic Security at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to recommend labeling any organization involved in “terroristic activity” as a terrorist group. The designation requires approval by a majority vote from Governor DeSantis and three members of the Florida Cabinet.
While supporters describe the measure as a necessary step to protect public safety and prevent extremism from infiltrating educational institutions, civil rights and free speech advocates have strongly criticized it. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) called the law “draconian” and unconstitutional, warning that it could chill freedom of expression and target specific political or religious groups without adequate due process.
The new law builds on a December 2025 executive order by DeSantis that designated the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations—an order later blocked by a federal judge. Under the legislation, public universities are prohibited from using state or federal funds to support activities linked to designated groups, and students found to “promote” such organizations face expulsion. Affiliated schools could also lose state voucher funding.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Governor DeSantis emphasized that Florida would not allow tax dollars to support “jihad” or groups threatening national security. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.
This development has sparked debate nationwide about the balance between counter-terrorism measures and constitutional protections for free speech on college campuses.