People hold signs during a House Education Committee hearing Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

The Republican-dominated Tennessee state legislature is advancing an effort to allow public schools to deny enrolling undocumented children, even as constituents repeatedly disrupt meetings to voice their opposition. 

Senate Bill 836, sponsored by Sen. Bo Watson (R-Hixson), would give public charter schools the power to refuse enrolling undocumented children as young as six years old from becoming students or charging them tuition. The bill passed in committee on April 1 and in the state Senate last Thursday by a 19-13 vote, with seven Republicans joining the chamber’s six Democrats in opposition. 

Sen. Todd Gardenhire (R-Chattanooga), who is reportedly a friend of Watson, spoke against the bill during debate. 

“It’s no reflection on the sponsor,” Gardenhire said. “He’s doing his job as finance chairman, and I appreciate that. But I think this is a bill that we do not need in the state of Tennessee, and it will not pay dividends in the future for the children.”

Watson defended his legislation on financial grounds, contending that the funds needed to educate a non-English speaking student is $3,500 more per student. Sen. Jeff Yarbro (D-Nashville) questioned the long-term effects of such a policy. 

“What’s the long-term cost of having a group of people who are, at the state’s direction, illiterate and just creating a long-term underclass in society?”

Multiple times throughout the bill’s lifespan, activists against it interrupted meetings and votes, leading to numerous ejections by the state police. Last week, over a dozen faith leaders — including Watson’s own pastor — were escorted out of a meeting after attempting to interrupt a vote by repeatedly reciting the Lord’s Prayer. And last month, a room filled with protesters forced a House committee to end debate early by repeating the Pledge of Allegiance. There have also been multiple protests around the state against the bill.

Some critics suggest that the legislation is an attempt to overturn Plyer v. Doe, a Supreme Court decision from 1982 that ensures all children the right to public education. Rep. John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville) cited that decision when passionately opposing the bill during a House committee hearing last week.

“Don’t tell me denying children an education is going to fix this broken immigration system,” Clemmons said. “This is not about a broken immigration system or illegal immigration. This is about denying innocent children of their right — of their God-given right and guaranteed by the state constitution — to get an education, as upheld by the Supreme Court.”

The bill will need approval in the Tennessee House of Representatives, which has a commanding 75-24 Republican supermajority. Watson did not respond to a request to comment on his bill.  

The legislation is advancing days after the Supreme Court approved the Trump administration’s efforts to deport Venezuelan migrants. SCOTUS also ordered the administration to facilitate the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man who the administration admitted was deported by mistake. However, the administration has refused to follow the order, claiming the Court cannot dictate the country’s foreign policy.