TLRC position
Support
2025 · Education · Immigration
Restricts enrollment for students here unlawfully.
HB 0793 / SB 0836
Bill description
Authorize local education agencies and public charter schools to refuse enrollment of students unlawfully present in the United States.
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4 and Title 49, relative to persons unlawfully present in the United States.
Bill sponsors
House co-sponsors · 21
Johnny Garrett R, Kip Capley R, Ed Butler R, Chris Todd R, Greg Martin R, Tim Rudd R, Jason Zachary R, Lee Reeves R, Justin Lafferty R, Clay Doggett R, Monty Fritts R, Scott Cepicky R, Dennis Powers R, David Hawk R, Gino Bulso R, Rusty Grills R, Bryan Terry R, Debra Moody R, Jay Reedy R, Todd Warner R, Jake McCalmon R
Senate co-sponsors · 6
Ken Yager R, Jack Johnson R, John Stevens R, Dawn White R, Joey Hensley R, Rusty Crowe R
TLRC statement
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.