TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Feb 5, 2025

State House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, and Senate Finance Chair Bo Watson, R-Hixson, filed legislation Tuesday that would allow local school districts and charter schools to opt out of enrolling undocumented children, Chattanoogan.com reports. According to the bill sponsors, HB793 aims to challenge Plyler v. Doe, a 1982 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that granted undocumented children the right to a free public education. The lawmakers say a 2019 analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data showed that about 128,000 undocumented immigrants were residing in Tennessee at the time, including approximately 10,000 children in public schools. In introducing the bill, Lamberth said, “The flood of illegal immigrants in our country has put an enormous drain on American tax dollars and resources. Our schools are the first to feel the impact." He concluded, "Our obligation is to ensure a high-quality education for legal residents first.”