TN bill requiring students to prove immigration status passes house

From Local 3 News: A bill requiring Tennessee students to show documentation proving citizenship to enroll in public schools passed the state house Monday, with support from all but three Republicans, who joined Democrats in opposition.

It now goes back to the Senate, before requiring Governor Bill Lee’s signature. The Senate version is sponsored by Sen. Bo Watson, a Hixson republican.

Schools would be required to provide enrollment data to the Tennessee Department of Education, including a tally of the number of students who failed or refused to produce documentation.

Reports to the department would not include any personally identifiable information for a student or their parents.

Families must produce documentation showing whether a student is a U.S. citizen, is in the process of obtaining citizenship, holds a valid legal immigration or visa status or is subject to pending proceedings.

“What this bill does, is it allows this body to obtain data, on which it can base the education policy of this state,” said Rep. Gino Bulso, a Brentwood republican.

Opponents, including Rep. Justin Jones, said the bill would turn teachers into Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

“This is unnecessary, and it's cruel, and it's utterly shameful that we're even debating this legislation today,” said Rep. Jones, a Nashville democrat. “Every child has a right to an education, regardless of immigration status."

In its current form, the bill clarifies that schools which enroll students who fail to produce documentation are not "implementing a sanctuary," meaning they are not limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Now amended, lawmakers initially considered HB 0793/SB 0836 last year.

In its original form in the Senate, which passed in April 2025, the bill would allow schools to refuse enrollment to students unlawfully present in the U.S.

Placed on the Senate's calendar for Thursday, lawmakers will now have to reconcile the two differing versions of the bill.

The Supreme Court ruled in Plyler v. Doe (1982) that schools cannot deny students a free public education to students, even if they are undocumented.

Bulso told fellow lawmakers a possible challenge to that 5-4 ruling is a reason to support the bill, arguing against the decision.

While the bill’s fiscal note doesn’t outline an official cost, it notes, “any decrease in enrollment as a result of the proposed legislation will be reflected in the TISA funding formula in the following school year.”

However, the nonpartisan nonprofit Immigration Research Initiative estimates it could cost up to $55 million.