TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Mar 31, 2025

Tennessee lawmakers voted to advance a bill Wednesday that would allow public schools to check students' immigration status and charge tuition to students who cannot provide proof that they are in the country legally. According to Chalkbeat Tennessee, the House Education Committee voted 11-7 to clear the bill, bringing it a step closer to a floor vote. The language of the bill also changed to align more with its companion bill in the Senate. If passed, the legislation would give public schools and public charter schools the option to ask students for documents showing they are U.S. citizens, legal residents or in the process of obtaining citizenship. If a student cannot provide this documentation, the districts could charge the family tuition for enrollment. A Senate version of the bill is scheduled to be heard tomorrow in the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee.