An amendment to a voucher expansion bill advancing in the statehouse links public school funding with students’ immigration status. Education advocates warn that this measure would discourage undocumented students from enrolling in Tennessee schools.
Will Tennessee block undocumented students from school? Lawmakers divided.
Tennessee lawmakers are at odds over a bill that would require schools to track and report students’ immigration status.
Tennessee House passes measure requiring schools to track and report undocumented students
A measure requiring schools to report students’ immigration status has passed the Tennessee House, 70-25. Although the Senate version of the bill has already passed, lawmakers must reconvene before the bill can become law.
Tennessee lawmakers soften measure that sought to keep undocumented students out of school
A new version of the bill would require schools to check students’ immigration status. Opponents say the proposal still poses a threat.
Immigration, school choice and Charlie Kirk: Tennessee’s legislative priorities for 2026
As Tennessee lawmakers continue the 114th General Assembly in Nashville this week, immigration and the governor’s school voucher program will still be priorities after dominating last year’s regular and special sessions.
Tennessee won’t deny public schooling to students without legal status — for now
A state review found the bill could’ve jeopardized more than $1 billion in federal education funding if enacted, as it violates the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Given the potential loss, House leadership paused consideration of the bill after it passed the Senate earlier this month.
Tennessee Senate passes measure to challenge federal education rights for undocumented students
A measure to challenge the right to an education for undocumented students narrowly passed the Tennessee Senate, 19-13, to the outrage of protesters inside and outside of the chamber.
Chattanooga school principals decry bill to deny undocumented students an education
They oppose a bill that would allow K-12 schools to refuse students based on their immigration status.
Tennessee could lose up to $1B in education funding under bill denying undocumented students
A bill that would allow schools to refuse undocumented students could put Tennessee in violation of the Civil Rights Act.
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