We are organizing for a Tennessee where all students get access to education. House Bill 0793/Senate Bill 0836 does the opposite.

Under this legislation, schools would be required to collect documentation regarding a student’s immigration status and report that information to the Tennessee Department of Education. The Department would then be required to produce an annual report and share that information with state agencies.

The Senate version of this bill passed last year, would also allow schools to charge tuition to undocumented students. If a family cannot pay that tuition, schools would have the option to deny enrollment to those students.

This legislation would threaten to strip youth of their access to free public education in Tennessee.

We oppose this legislation because:

• It is unconstitutional and an overwhelming number of Black and Brown youth could be targeted, forced out of school, and denied access to education.

• Families may avoid enrolling their children in school out of fear that their personal information could be shared with immigration authorities.

• This legislation would further hinder the investment and development of youth in Tennessee.

Public Schools should be places of learning and support, not fear and exclusion. Instead of placing additional barriers in front of young people, Tennessee should prioritize investments in mental, physical, and emotional health services and student support programs in all public schools.

No child should be denied the opportunity to learn.

We call on Tennessee lawmakers to stand with our communities and reject this bill.

If passed, we call on the Governor to veto it.