Latest news with #Bill836
NBC News
22-04-2025
- Politics
- NBC News
Tennessee pauses bill targeting right to education regardless of immigration status
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Republican lawmakers in Tennessee have paused a bill meant to challenge the constitutional right for children to attend public schools regardless of their immigration status. Instead, with time waning in the legislative session, they are asking U.S. officials for guidance on whether the bill would jeopardize federal education funding. The direction announced Monday by House Majority Leader William Lamberth, the bill sponsor, diminishes the chances for the bill to pass this year as lawmakers prepare for a likely adjournment this week. The Tennessee Journal first reported on Lamberth's decision. Hundreds of children have packed the Tennessee Capitol this year to oppose the bill that takes aim at the protection established by the landmark 1982 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Plyler v. Doe. That decades-old decision struck down a Texas law that sought to deny enrollment to any student not 'legally admitted' into the country. The Republican-controlled Tennessee Senate has already passed a version of the bill, which would require proof of legal residence to enroll in public K-12 public schools and would give school districts the option — but not the requirement — of turning away students who fail to provide proper documentation or to charge them tuition. The House version, which remains idle in a subcommittee, differs by letting public schools check immigration status, rather than requiring it. Lamberth noted that Tennessee receives approximately $1.1 billion in federal education money annually. 'We fully trust the Trump Administration will not withhold federal dollars from our schools due to the passage of House Bill 793/Senate Bill 836,' Lamberth said. 'However, out of an abundance of caution, we want to be exceptionally careful before we move forward to ensure no federal taxpayer dollars are at risk.' A growing number of conservative leaders are pushing states to overturn Plyler v. Doe — including the conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation. Tennessee's Republican lawmakers were among the most aggressive in pursuing the idea that directly contradicts Supreme Court precedent. Proponents of the bill have largely downplayed denying children the right to education, but instead have focused on the fiscal impact states are facing in educating children residing in the U.S. illegally. However, it's unclear whether the bill would result in any savings. In opposition, student have broken down in tears in front of legislative committees, distraught over their classmates being removed from their school and worries over who might be next. Some advocates applauded Monday's news but cautioned the bill isn't dead until lawmakers gavel out for the year. 'What's undeniable is this: lawmakers have been forced to acknowledge the overwhelming, bipartisan opposition from across the state to targeting children and denying them an education,' said Lisa Sherman Luna, executive director of the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition. Lawmakers and other conservative supporters repeatedly point to the 5-4 vote that determined Plyler in 1982, arguing that the narrow margin means there's a better chance the precedent could be overturned by the current Supreme Court. Notably, the court has overturned the right to abortion.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tennessee asks feds whether state funds are jeopardized by immigrant student bill
House Majority Leader William Lamberth, right, has asked the U.S. Department of Education for guidance on a bill that would restrict undocumented immigrant students from enrolling in K-12 schools. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) In the final days of the 2025 legislative session, Tennessee officials are asking the U.S. Department of Education whether federal funds are being jeopardized by a bill that would restrict undocumented immigrant students from enrolling in K-12 schools. The state's Fiscal Review Executive Director Bojan Savic sent a letter Monday to U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon to determine whether the state could lose $1.1 billion in federal funds if the legislature passes bills that could force school districts to check the citizenship status of children and force them to pay tuition to enroll. Hoping for a quick turnaround, House Majority Leader William Lamberth told the Lookout Monday he requested the letter because he wants to know whether the money is at risk before the end of the session, which is expected to be Tuesday. The bill he is sponsoring, HB793, hit a roadblock, in part because of financial questions surrounding it and could be delayed until 2026, even though it passed the Senate. The Fiscal Review financial analysis says the funds could be in jeopardy because of federal laws prohibiting discrimination. 'We fully trust the Trump Administration will not withhold federal dollars from our schools due to the passage of House Bill 793/Senate Bill 836,' Lamberth said. 'However, out of an abundance of caution, we want to be exceptionally careful before we move forward to ensure no federal taxpayer dollars are at risk. Our first obligation is to prioritize public dollars for students lawfully in the United States. The last thing we want to do is cause our schools to be further drained of much-needed resources.' The House version of the legislation would give school districts the option to check students to determine whether they have permanent legal documentation, differing from the Senate version, which would require districts to check students' immigration status and require tuition. Stockard on the Stump: Tennessee immigrant student bill losing momentum Federal Title VI prohibits discrimination based on race, color or national origins in programs that receive federal funds, and violating the law could put the federal funds in danger. Those deal with the Every Student Succeeds Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Act, Carl Perkins Act and school nutrition. Lamberth declined Monday to confirm that the bill could be dead for the year. The Lookout reported last week that the bill could be dead for the year, mainly because of financial questions. Republican Sen. Bo Watson of Hixson, who has been feeling considerable pressure from opponents of the bill, said he would consider seeking a compromise on the measure, according to a Chattanooga TV report. The bill is designed to go through the courts and challenge the 1982 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Plyler v. Doe that required school districts to education students regardless of their immigration status. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tennessee pauses bill targeting right to education regardless of immigration status
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Republican lawmakers in Tennessee have paused a bill meant to challenge the constitutional right for children to attend public schools regardless of their immigration status. Instead, with time waning in the legislative session, they are asking U.S. officials for guidance on whether the bill would jeopardize federal education funding. The direction announced Monday by House Majority Leader William Lamberth, the bill sponsor, diminishes the chances for the bill to pass this year as lawmakers prepare for a likely adjournment this week. The Tennessee Journal first reported on Lamberth's decision. Hundreds of children have packed the Tennessee Capitol this year to oppose the bill that takes aim at the protection established by the landmark 1982 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Plyler v. Doe. That decades-old decision struck down a Texas law that sought to deny enrollment to any student not 'legally admitted' into the country. The Republican-controlled Tennessee Senate has already passed a version of the bill, which would require proof of legal residence to enroll in public K-12 public schools and allows schools to either turn away students who fail to provide proper documentation or charge them tuition. The House version, which remains idle in a subcommittee, differs by letting public schools check immigration status, rather than requiring it. Lamberth noted that Tennessee receives approximately $1.1 billion in federal education money annually. 'We fully trust the Trump Administration will not withhold federal dollars from our schools due to the passage of House Bill 793/Senate Bill 836,' Lamberth said. 'However, out of an abundance of caution, we want to be exceptionally careful before we move forward to ensure no federal taxpayer dollars are at risk.' A growing number of conservative leaders are pushing states to overturn Plyler v. Doe — including the conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation. Tennessee's Republican lawmakers were among the most aggressive in pursuing the idea that directly contradicts Supreme Court precedent. Proponents of the bill have largely downplayed denying children the right to education, but instead have focused on the fiscal impact states are facing in educating children residing in the U.S. illegally. However, it's unclear whether the bill would result in any savings. In opposition, student have broken down in tears in front of legislative committees, distraught over their classmates being removed from their school and worries over who might be next. Lawmakers and other conservative supporters repeatedly point to the 5-4 vote that determined Plyler in 1982, arguing that the narrow margin means there's a better chance the precedent could be overturned by the current Supreme Court. Notably, the court has overturned the right to abortion.
Associated Press
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Tennessee pauses bill targeting right to education regardless of immigration status
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Republican lawmakers in Tennessee have paused a bill meant to challenge the constitutional right for children to attend public schools regardless of their immigration status. Instead, with time waning in the legislative session, they are asking U.S. officials for guidance on whether the bill would jeopardize federal education funding. The direction announced Monday by House Majority Leader William Lamberth, the bill sponsor, diminishes the chances for the bill to pass this year as lawmakers prepare for a likely adjournment this week. The Tennessee Journal first reported on Lamberth's decision. Hundreds of children have packed the Tennessee Capitol this year to oppose the bill that takes aim at the protection established by the landmark 1982 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Plyler v. Doe. That decades-old decision struck down a Texas law that sought to deny enrollment to any student not 'legally admitted' into the country. The Republican-controlled Tennessee Senate has already passed a version of the bill, which would require proof of legal residence to enroll in public K-12 public schools and allows schools to either turn away students who fail to provide proper documentation or charge them tuition. The House version, which remains idle in a subcommittee, differs by letting public schools check immigration status, rather than requiring it. Lamberth noted that Tennessee receives approximately $1.1 billion in federal education money annually. 'We fully trust the Trump Administration will not withhold federal dollars from our schools due to the passage of House Bill 793/Senate Bill 836,' Lamberth said. 'However, out of an abundance of caution, we want to be exceptionally careful before we move forward to ensure no federal taxpayer dollars are at risk.' A growing number of conservative leaders are pushing states to overturn Plyler v. Doe — including the conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation. Tennessee's Republican lawmakers were among the most aggressive in pursuing the idea that directly contradicts Supreme Court precedent. Proponents of the bill have largely downplayed denying children the right to education, but instead have focused on the fiscal impact states are facing in educating children residing in the U.S. illegally. Lawmakers and other conservative supporters repeatedly point to the 5-4 vote that determined Plyler in 1982, arguing that the narrow margin means there's a better chance the precedent could be overturned by the current Supreme Court. Notably, the court has overturned the right to abortion.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Murfreesboro City Schools officially opposes bill denying education to undocumented children
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Murfreesboro City Schools Board of Education stands firm in its opposition to a bill that would deny the right to a free education to undocumented students currently making its way through the Tennessee General Assembly. At its most recent meeting, the school board passed a resolution stating its opposition to HB 793/SB 836, which would authorize public school districts and public charter schools to refuse to enroll students who are 'unlawfully present in the United States.' Critics of the bill say it's an assault on the rights of all children to a free education as provided by the 19892U.S. Supreme Court decision Plyler v. Doe and will lead to lengthy and costly legal challenges. Supporters of the measure say it's already costly for state and local governments to educate undocumented students. READ MORE | Latest headlines from Murfreesboro and Rutherford County 'Currently, the federal government identifies free and reduced lunch, and they will pay to feed the children in our school systems, but under Plyler v. Doe, they put us in a situation where they won't pay for these students that are in our school systems that are causing this undue burden in our state and in states across the country,' Rep. Scott Cepicky (R-Culleoka) said. Murfreesboro City Schools officials said in their resolution the bill demonstrates 'a willingness to use vulnerable children and the school districts that serve them as a vehicle to test well-established constitutional protections.' Further, the resolution states allowing 'discriminatory practices against students solely based on their immigration status creates inequitable educational systems, potentially promotes division within our communities, places school staff in the untenable position of making enrollment inquiries based on immigration status, and conflicts with the mission of Murfreesboro City Schools to assure the academic and personal success for each child.' Neighborhood News: Stories impacting your community | Read More The resolution 'formally opposes House Bill 793/Senate Bill 836 and urges the Tennessee General Assembly to vote to oppose the passage of this bill.' The bill narrowly passed the Tennessee Senate on Thursday morning after a long debate and plenty of protests at the state capitol. The measure now needs to advance out of committee in the House of Representatives and face a full floor vote before it can become law. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
