Demonstrators protested a bill that would allow schools to reject students based on immigration status at the Tennessee Capitol in Nashville. Marianna bacallao/wpln Closed subtitles
Nashville, Tennessee - After Weeks of protests and A tense debate,,,,, Tennessee's Republican Super Magazine pauses in a bill that will denied public K-12 schools enrollment for children without legal immigration status. But lawmakers pushed for the measure that they said they were not done.
Republicans across the country want to trigger a lawsuit that challenges the law and bring the problem back to the U.S. Supreme Court, similar to how Mississippi State Laws This led to the court overturning the federal abortion rights in 2022.
In its 1982 ruling, the Supreme Court established the right to education for all students. Plyler vs. Doe.
Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank Write a blueprint Regarding Trump administration's 2025 policy, last year called on states to pass a challenge bill Plyler v. Doe.
Heritage Foundation: “Unexpected illegal immigrants in the past three years have probably lost billions of dollars in the public education system.” Written in the 2024 summary. “The influx of non-English children also negatively impacts the classroom.”
Similar arguments about the cost of education have been made in state legislatures across the country. Although states did not collect data on the number of students without legal status in the classroom, Republicans noted that the number of English learners in public schools increased, although estimates from the advocacy group Edtrust suggest that most of these students are Be a citizen.
Despite the efforts of multiple states, try again this year Priel All failed. Bills in Texas, Indiana and New Jersey were stalled. Republican governor in Oklahoma took similar measures before the state legislature, but Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt Swear to stop it.
The Tennessee version is closest to becoming law. In April, the bill was narrow Passed the Senate. Republican Senator Bo Watson, who co-sponsored the legislation, argued on the Senate ground that it solved financial problems.
"We are forced or forced to pay this extra fee without consideration," Watson said.(Plyler) It is the voice imposed by the court on the people. My friends - This is to exercise people's voices by elected representatives. ”
Phillip Lovell of Ed said the bill could also have a chilling impact on the state’s economy.
"It is estimated that the undocumented community in your state pays $350 million in taxes. Their purchasing power is $3.5 billion," Lovell said. Testify on the committee. “The more people learn, the more they earn, the more tax they pay. What you spend on education is not only an expense, but an investment.”
What ultimately obtained the bill this year is its own potential financial impact. Tennessee's Republican House of Representatives Republican House of Representatives has raised it from consideration to the possible damage to the measure after the state review. More than $1 billion in federal education funding Violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
At Lambers' request, the state sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon asking about the potential $1.1 billion in federal funds that would be at risk, but the state received no response at the end of the meeting.
A protester raised a sign to demonstrate in Tennessee against a bill that would allow public schools to prevent students without legal status from attending. Marianna bacallao/wpln Closed subtitles
Immigration rights activists see this move as a victory.
"For all the children who speak, parents, educators, faith leaders, business owners and Tennessees everyday Tennessee - your phone number, your email, and your presence at the Capitol," said Lisa Sherman Luna, executive director of the Tennessee Immigration and Refugee Rights Alliance.
The group helped plan Several protests and marched during the legislative session. Every time the bill was heard during the meeting, protesters filled the hearing room and scattered in the corridor with signs reading “Education for All” or “I stand with Immigration.”
The bill is not totally dead. Tennessee Republicans plan to bring it back next year, depending on how well the federal government accepts the legislation.
If the measure did come before the U.S. Supreme Court, advocates fear that the outcome might be different from the 1982 ruling.
Stella Yarbrough, legal director of the Tennessee ACLU, said the court's conservative majority had a history of turning the court's precedent.
"I think they're reading tea leaves correctly," Yarbrough said. "I think it's right for them to take a second bite on the apple."
Despite the risks nationwide, Yarbrough said that if such a law is passed, the ACLU will still take legal challenges.
"Even if you think you're going to lose in the long run, you'll lose even a day, a week, a year," Yarbrough said.
Going to Tennessee Before the U.S. Supreme Court Defend your own in December Prohibit gender care for minors. When that ruling is made, state Republicans will see if their strategy works with the current makeup look of the court, as expected this summer.