(The Center Square) – The Hamilton County Principals Association is opposing a bill that would give Tennessee school districts the authority to ban students who are in the country illegally.
Senate Bill 836 is on the Friday calendar for a Senate vote.
The association said Wednesday it is asking the Hamilton County School Board to pass a resolution that says it will give all Hamilton County children access to school.
“As educators, our mission is clear: we are dedicated to creating safe, welcoming, and inclusive environments where all students can thrive,” the association said. “Efforts to exclude children from school due to their immigration status undermine this mission, threaten the well-being of vulnerable communities, and harm the future of our nation.”
A coalition of Tennessee pastors, Christian faith leaders, and faith-based nonprofits are also encouraging lawmakers to defeat the bill.
“Access to education creates paths of opportunity and enables the dreams of children – regardless of their country of origin – to come into reach,” the group said in a letter to lawmakers. “We are calling on you to consider the impact of your vote and steward the influence you have to create welcoming communities for the neighbors Christ commands us to love as ourselves.”
Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, tied his bill to the increased cost of funding English learning programs, known as ELL.
“While ELL incorporates both documented as well as undocumented students, it is difficult or impossible to tease out the difference between the two,” Watson said. “And so I use ELL funding as a correlation as to what may be happening with the undocumented community.”
The House version of the bill, sponsored by Rep. William Lamberth, passed the House Government Operations Committee on Monday. It now goes to the Finance, Ways and Means Committee.
