The American Civil Liberties Union is taking the state of Florida to court. The lawsuit being brought against Florida officials says that the recently made law which bans academics from going to terrorist nations including Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria is unconstitutional. The state law was signed by Gov. Jeb Bush in May and sponsored by state Rep. David Rivera of Miami. According to a story reported by The Miami Herald, Rivera said ``My bill doesn't prevent anyone from traveling to a terrorist nation. Only the federal government can do that. My bill only says that taxpayer resources cannot be utilized to promote travel to terrorist nations.''

While the bill may not state that academics cannot go to Cuba and other terrorist countries in plain English, it does say that state universities cannot use money or resources to promote, plan, administer or fund travel to Cuba. According to The Herald, "that means that any support services, such as help from secretaries, computers or fax machines at state universities can't be devoted to Cuba travel." Also not allowed - using state money to fund trips.

Professors are concerned that the ban will deter students who are interested in studying Cuba from attending Florida schools. Bush said he thinks the policy is a good one, but if the court thinks otherwise the state will abide by the ruling.

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