NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A contentious bill in Tennessee, which could allow school districts to deny educational access to undocumented students, has ignited heated debates and widespread protests across the state. The proposed legislation, which has already caused disruptions in multiple committee hearings, is set for further deliberation in the coming weeks.
The bill, primarily sponsored by Republican lawmakers, has been amended to allow families who are unable to prove their child’s legal status to pay tuition in order for their children to attend public schools. The bill’s supporters argue that this approach is intended to alleviate the financial burden placed on school systems by undocumented students, particularly in areas with large immigrant populations.
Sen. Bo Watson (R-Hixson), who is sponsoring the bill in the Senate, explained that the proposal is a step toward addressing what he sees as a strain on the U.S. education system, citing concerns over the country’s “porous” borders. “Part of the strategy behind the bill is to reduce the American education system as a magnet towards people flowing through our porous border,” Watson said.
However, critics argue that the bill is designed to undermine the landmark 1982 Supreme Court ruling Plyler v. Doe, which made it unconstitutional for states to deny public education to undocumented students. The ruling established that denying education to undocumented children violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
Republican lawmakers, however, are pushing forward with the bill, asserting that it would offer school districts the discretion to refuse undocumented students while still permitting those who can afford to pay tuition. The bill has generated strong reactions both from lawmakers and the public, with many arguing that it would unfairly target vulnerable children and families.
Protests against the bill have disrupted committee hearings in recent weeks, as activists and concerned citizens gathered at the Capitol to voice their opposition. One such protest occurred during a session of the House Banking and Consumer Affairs Subcommittee, where protestors repeatedly recited the Pledge of Allegiance, hoping to remind lawmakers of the nation’s values. The protest forced committee chairman Rep. William Lamberth (R-Portland) to clear the room.
In response, Lamberth emphasized that while protests are welcome, they should remain peaceful. “We welcome protestors here, we welcome peaceful protestors here, but for anyone who comes down to the Capitol, you’re not going to shut down the people’s business,” Lamberth said. He stressed the importance of allowing debate to continue in a respectful manner.
Sen. Watson echoed this sentiment, stating, “I expect spirited debate with some of my colleagues on Tuesday, and I expect the public to be engaged in it, and that is the democratic process.” Watson urged the public to maintain decorum as the legislation moves through the legislative process.
While Republicans defend the bill as a necessary step to protect state resources, Democrats have criticized the measure as “cruel” and harmful to innocent children. Rep. Gabby Salinas (D-Memphis) expressed her dismay, calling the bill a move that would tarnish the state’s reputation. “This legislation puts our state in a position we’ve never seen before,” she said. “It’s not a position of leadership, it’s not a position of excellence, and it’s certainly not a position of southern values.”
Rep. John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville), the House Democratic Caucus chairman, urged more members of the public to participate in the ongoing debate. “I wouldn’t refer to the individuals up here as protestors. I would refer to them as people who care about children,” Clemmons said. “The more people who are showing their concern about this state targeting innocent children, the better.”
The bill is scheduled to be debated in the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee on Tuesday, March 25, and in the House Education Committee the following day. As the legislative process moves forward, both sides are bracing for continued protests and impassioned discussions surrounding the future of undocumented students in Tennessee’s public schools.
