The Tennessee House subcommittee has passed a controversial bill, HB 0793, which could allow state schools to refuse enrollment to undocumented students. According to WSMV, the proposal faced significant opposition during its hearing, with hundreds of protesters, including students and community leaders, speaking out.
Supporters of the bill argue that it gives school districts the flexibility to manage their enrollment policies. However, opponents say it violates the right to education established by the 1982 U.S. Rep. William Lamberth (R-Portland), the sponsor of the bill, explained that the legislation would allow local districts to require proof of citizenship, similar to how they require proof of residency or immunizations, as reported by WSMV. The subcommittee passed the bill 5-3, with Rep. Mark White (R-Shelby County) being the only Republican to dissent.
The committee room became emotional after the vote, with the crowd chanting, "Let us learn. Let us learn," as noted by News Channel 5.
One English as a second language teacher called the bill an "assault on our children’s rights," saying it would "take away their freedom to learn simply because of who they are or where they were born," as reported by WKRN.
Rep. Lamberth acknowledged that the bill would likely be considered unconstitutional under the current interpretation of Plyler vs. Doe. However, he expressed his hope that Tennessee could serve as a test case for a potential new ruling from a more conservative Supreme Court. The bill has already passed the full House Education Committee.
Dulce Castro, who moved to Tennessee at age six, told WSMV, "We contribute to this state as much as everyone else does, and just because we look a certain way doesn’t mean that we are illegal or we are criminals. That is why we keep showing up. At the end of the day, we care about our children, we care about the future and we are not leaving." Protesters plan to continue attending all future discussions and votes related to the bill.
