New College of Florida has fired Chinese professor Kevin Wang under a state law that bars universities from employing people from “countries of concern,” including China. The move has drawn sharp criticism from students, faculty, and legal experts concerned about discrimination and academic freedom.

Wang, who is seeking asylum in the U.S., taught Chinese language and culture at the Sarasota-based liberal arts college for nearly two years. He was dismissed on March 12 after the school reviewed his immigration status, as first reported by Suncoast Searchlight.

According to his termination letter, obtained by Suncoast Searchlight, the decision was not based on misconduct. Instead, the college cited SB 846, a law passed in 2023 that restricts universities from hiring individuals from certain nations unless they are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.

The law, which went into effect just weeks before Wang was hired, also blocks agreements with institutions based in these countries without state approval. “I never expected to face such a distressing experience after escaping persecution from the CCP,” Wang told Suncoast Searchlight. He added that he had fled China after being targeted for criticizing the government.

On Friday, March 28, District Judge Jose Martinez in Miami ruled that the state could not prevent two graduate students from China at Florida International University from accepting positions as teaching assistants. However, he also ruled that SB 846 is not prohibited by federal immigration law.

It’s unclear how the ruling from Martinez will impact the decision to fire Wang. AsAmNews will update this story should more information become available.

The Guardian reported that Wang had sent a routine email about missing paychecks, which led to a review of his file. College officials quickly realized he lacked permanent residency status. Despite confirming his legal right to work, he was fired within 48 hours. His campus accounts were deactivated immediately, leaving him unable to contact his students.

Faculty members expressed concern about the disruption. “Everyone wants Kevin to stay,” Provost David Rohrbacher wrote in an internal email. Another professor warned it would harm student learning if Wang were forced to leave mid-semester.

Students reacted with anger. Emails obtained by Suncoast Searchlight show they demanded a meeting with administrators. The college has since scrambled to fill the gap left in his absence.

Wang is the first asylum-seeker publicly known to be affected by SB 846. Immigration lawyer Helena Tetzeli described that the law might conflict with federal anti-discrimination statutes. “It depends on whether this law is ultimately found unconstitutional,” she said.

Civil rights groups have taken legal action. In March, the ACLU of Florida and the Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance sued the state, arguing SB 846 violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The lawsuit compares the law to the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act.

Governor Ron DeSantis’s administration has overhauled New College in recent months, replacing leadership and shifting the school’s ideological direction. The Guardian reported that far-right speakers have been welcomed on campus and diversity programs dismantled.

Wang plans to leave Florida but remain in the U.S. as he continues his asylum bid. “I truly hope such interference in academic freedom won’t happen again in a place that claims to be a beacon of democracy,” he said.

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