Protests erupted in the Tennessee House of Representatives on Tuesday as lawmakers debated a bill that would allow public schools to bar illegal migrants from enrolling their children in public schools.
The proposal, introduced by House Majority Leader William Lamberth and state Senator Bo Watson, would give local school districts the authority to decide whether to admit non-citizens.
If passed, school districts can “enroll, or refuse to enroll, a student who is unlawfully present in the United States.”
The bill was approved by the House K-12 subcommittee with a 5-3 vote. One Republican, Representative Mark White of Memphis, joined the two Democrats opposing the legislation.
Like many other states, Tennessee’s schools have been overwhelmed by foreign nationals eating up district budgets and diverting resources from American citizens.
Lamberth has said that the federal government’s failure to secure the border has flooded Tennessee with approximately 120,000 illegal migrants, including 10,000 students enrolled in public schools.
As the bill was debated, Democrat protesters chanted slogans including “Education for all,” “Shame on you,” and “Shut it down.” They argued that having uneducated migrants running around the state would lead to an increase in crime and poverty.
During a 5-minute recess, protesters flooded the House hearing room after the K-12 Subcommittee voted in favor of HB793. @FOXNashville pic.twitter.com/VMVNEhc99x
— Madeleine Nolan (@MaddieNolanTV) March 11, 2025
NOW: “IF THEY DON’T DROP IT, SHUT IT DOWN!”
The halls of the TN leg full of protestors after @WilliamLamberth & @SenBoWatson’s cruel bill to block undocumented kids from going to school passes house sub 5-3
They want it to overturn Plyler at SCOTUS
(H/t @OdessaKellyTN) pic.twitter.com/h2C7WoGkaL
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) March 11, 2025
Tennessee GOP lawmakers flee protesters at a House subcommittee hearing after most Republicans voted to advance HB 793, a bill allowing schools to refuse to enroll undocumented migrant children.
The official House feed cut the mics as the subcommittee went into immediate recess. pic.twitter.com/4yiPmHZhQw
— Heartland Signal (@HeartlandSignal) March 11, 2025
Supporters of the bill countered that illegal aliens cannot legally work in the state anyway.
A companion measure in the Tennessee Senate would require public schools to verify students’ immigration status and be permitted to charge tuition fees to non-citizens.
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