- 2025, Education, Immigration
Restricts enrollment for students here unlawfully.
HB 793 / SB 836
Bill Description
Bill Sponsors
Rep. William Lamberth
Sen. Bo Watson
Bill Co-Sponsors
House: Garrett, Capley, Butler, Todd, Martin G, Rudd, Zachary, Reeves, Lafferty, Doggett, Fritts, Powers, Cepicky, Hawk, Bulso
Senate: Yager, Johnson, Stevens, White, Hensley, Crowe
TLRC Statement on Bill
HB 793 directly challenges the 1982 Supreme Court ruling in Plyler v. Doe, which wrongly asserted that states must bear the financial burden of educating illegal immigrants. This bill affirms that local education agencies (LEAs) and public charter schools in Tennessee may refuse to enroll students who are unlawfully present in the United States, rather than being forced to absorb these costs.
Illegal immigration imposes a significant financial burden on Tennessee taxpayers, particularly in the public education system, where schools are required to allocate resources to students who are not legally entitled to state benefits. HB 793 restores local control by allowing school districts to decide whether to enroll illegal immigrants, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are prioritized for citizens and legal residents.
This legislation is an important step in pushing back against federal mandates that impose unfunded burdens on states. By passing HB 793, Tennessee is taking a stand for state sovereignty, fiscal responsibility, and the right of local school districts to determine how their resources are allocated.
