Latest news with #SB836
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
I was an undocumented student. I'm going to be a doctor. Keep education a right.
On my way into the hospital recently, a headline caught my eye. It stated that the Tennessee Senate passed a bill that would end the right to education as we know it. Threatening to challenge a SCOTUS decision from 1982 that guaranteed education to all children, Senate Bill 836 and its accompanying House Bill 793 would ultimately allow schools to limit educational access to students with an undocumented status. Locking my phone away and walking in to see my patients, it struck me that under this bill I would not be here today. My family and I immigrated to Middle Tennessee when I was only 3 years old. Drawn to the state for its natural beauty and warm welcoming community, we decided to make Tennessee our home. Though we were new to the state, Murfreesboro embraced us and made this new land feel like home. It is here where I learned to read and count and work hard. It is here where I learned to believe that my life meant something. It is here where I learned about the American Dream. Though I was undocumented throughout the entirety of my youth, my teachers never saw a legal status – they saw a boy who was excited to learn. Although my path after grade school may have been uncertain, they instilled a belief within me that I could forge a way forward. Together, from kindergarten to high school, we did just that. With their dedication and my perseverance, a path forward began forming before us. Eventually, I gained my citizenship and am now just weeks away from becoming Dr. Gudiño-Rosales, the first physician in my family. Opinion: Tennessee lawmakers back immigration bill that creates a permanent underclass However, had HB793/SB836 existed when I was a child, we would not have forged that path. I would not have made it through grade school, and I would not be wearing a white coat today. Sponsors of these bills cite various reasons as justification for this legislation including limited financial resources. Despite their claims, there is no evidence that denying undocumented students access to education would save the state any money. Instead, as over 20 Tennessee businesses have expressed, barring these students from public schools could cost Tennessee millions in federal funding. Furthermore, restricting access to education threatens to jeopardize recent gains in student outcomes. These improvements are proof that investing in every child in Tennessee is strategic for the continued excellence of the state. With meaningful support, our students will continue excelling as they become tomorrow's workforce of nurses, educators, and, yes, even doctors. Opinion: Trump's deportations emboldened GOP. But they're going after kids, not criminals That is why as lawmakers continue debating HB793, I urge them to consider the nascent potential of all students but especially the roughly 10,000 undocumented students in Tennessee. While there is agreement in that a consensus must be reached regarding immigration, this bill unfairly targets the most vulnerable individuals affected by this issue. Undocumented students did not choose their immigration status and should not be forced to bear the brunt of the consequences. It has been famously coined that education is the great equalizer in our country, and it is a phrase that has undoubtedly held true for me. However, that truth exists only because the Tennessee education system believed in me. Because of their faith, I now get to take care of people when they are most vulnerable and give back to communities in ways they did for me. Therefore, I ask Tennessee lawmakers to reflect on what we stand for as the Volunteer State and urge them to vote no on HB793. I implore them to leave children out of this immigration issue. Do not close the doors of educational opportunity for students; keep them open and preserve Tennessee's legacy of strength and hope. Santiago Gudiño-Rosales, a proud graduate of Central Magnet School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, is a senior medical student at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee undocumented students can achieve great success | Opinion
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.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Keeping undocumented children out of schools is a civil rights violation
HB793/SB836, a proposed bill, with one version requiring proof of citizenship before enrolling students in Tennessee schools, challenges a fundamental right: access to education. This bill is not just an administrative requirement but an attack on the lives of Tennessee's children, their futures, and the promise of equality in our public education system. I understand the struggle of having to prove your right to exist, to participate, to belong. I was raised in rural Tennessee during the 1950s, a time when registering the birth of a Black girl was not a priority. As a result, I spent my early years undocumented, despite being a citizen. Without a birth certificate, I had no proof of being born in the state I called home. I have also witnessed the frustration of families trying to gather the necessary paperwork to enroll a child in school. The process is often lengthy, confusing, and burdened with bureaucratic red tape, discouraging many from completing it. HB793/SB836 disregards these obstacles and creates unnecessary barriers to education. As a former school board member in Haywood County and former president of the Tennessee School Board Association, I know the strain this bill would put on our under-resourced schools. Teachers and administrators are already stretched thin; now we're asking them to become immigration officers. It is an unrealistic expectation that will further burden our schools and leave vulnerable students behind. But the most dangerous aspect of HB793/SB836 is its impact on our community as a whole. This bill is not just a challenge for one group; it is an attack on all of us. Its goal is to overturn the constitutional precedent of Plyler v. Doe, which guarantees all children access to free public education, a practice that has been in place for over 150 years. History shows that when one group is denied basic rights, it creates division, fear, and a climate where no one is truly safe. This bill fuels those divisions and undermines the values of inclusion, equality, and justice that we hold dear. To protect the right to learn for all children, the Tennessee NAACP helped launch Education for All Tennessee, a coalition of over 60 organizations across the state. Now, the NAACP, both in Tennessee and nationally, stands firmly against HB793/SB836. Opinion: Trump's deportations emboldened GOP. But they're going after kids, not criminals This bill will create more division, hardship, and barriers for Tennessee's children. It is time to stand up for our future and the promise of a public education system that welcomes every child, regardless of background or circumstance. The fight for educational justice is a fight for human rights, and today, it continues. It is up to all of us to ensure every child in Tennessee has a fair chance at the future they deserve. When we deny opportunity to one group, we diminish opportunities for all. Education is the key to our collective future, and we cannot afford to leave anyone behind. Let's reject HB793/SB836. Let's unite for our children — and for the future of Tennessee. Gloria Jean Sweet-Love has been president of the Tennessee State Conference NAACP since January 1996. She is a member of the National Board of Directors of the NAACP and currently serves as Chair of the Southeast Region V NAACP Leadership caucus. She has attained a number of firsts in her life including the first African American woman elected to the Haywood County School Board, first African American woman elected as president of the Tennessee School Board Association, and first African American woman to be appointed by the governor as a member of the Peace Officers Standards & Training Commission. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TN GOP would deny students their right to an education. | Opinion
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tennessee Sen. Bo Watson draws backlash from business leaders in his district for bill targeting immigrant students
A Tennessee senator is drawing rebuke from business owners in his own district for a controversial bill targeting undocumented students. The Tennessee Small Business Alliance, a statewide small business advocacy organization, condemned SB 836 which would require all schools in Tennessee to verify children have legal immigration or visa status prior to enrolling. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, who has has argued undocumented students are potentially a financial drain on Tennessee school resources, citing a rise in English language learners in the state. The accompanying house bill, sponsored by House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, would not impose requirements on local schools, the Tennessean previously reported. In a statement, small business owner and constituent of Watson, Kelly Fitzgerald, said the bill is "not something legislators should be spending their resources on when there are much larger issues at hand in the current environment." "We should leave children out of the conversation," she added. The legislation, if passed, would open the door for policies that could "deprive millions of undocumented students across the country of their right to an education" said the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition in a social media post. "The ripple effects would be devastating, not only for Tennessee's schools and communities but for our nation's future workforce, economy and core values," read the post. On Tuesday, April 1, the Senate Finance committee voted 7-4 to advance SB 836. Here's what else to know about the bill and why it has become one of the most fiercely contested pieces of legislation that Tennessee lawmakers are debating this session. Earlier this month, Fitzgerald joined 20 other business owners in urging Watson to abandon the bill. In a statement, she described the legislation as a "political stunt that's cruel, economically reckless and completely out of step with local values." "My children are receiving a great education in our public schools, and I want every child to have the same rights and opportunities as mine do," she said. "Do our representatives believe that undocumented children — who had no say in their immigration status — should be denied a public education, even though their families already pay taxes that fund our schools?' On April 1, over 20 Chattanooga-area businesses condemned the bill, disputing Watson and Lambeth's claims that the bill addresses fiscal concerns. The bill's fiscal note states the proposed legislation may jeopardize federal funding to the state and to local governments, however, exact impacts remain uncertain due to "unknown factors." In 2023, Tennessee received a total of $3,368,495,310 in federal funding. "Going after children to deny them an education when he knows it is already paid for by immigrants in our state isn't just cruel — it's unethical, fiscally irresponsible, and politically desperate," said the alliance in a statement. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have been critical toward SB 836 and the companion House bill. On Monday, Rep. Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, sided with Democrats to oppose the bill. House Democratic Caucus Chair John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville, slammed the bill, calling it a drain on state resources. "Our country has a broken immigration system. This isn't going to fix it. It's going to discriminate against innocent children who have no idea if they're undocumented or not," Clemmons said. "This is an education bill about punishing innocent children." Despite both bills firmly advancing in the General Assembly, final votes will likely not fall along party lines reported the Tennessean. Since being introduced, committee meetings have drawn hundreds of impassioned protestors. One protestor, Lynne McFarland, was arrested by Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers earlier this month and later carried away from her seat and to a patrol car. Contributing: Melissa Brown Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@ or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @_leyvadiana This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee bill targeting immigrant students draws business backlash
