Tennessee’s House has passed a revised bill requiring schools to track and report students’ immigration status, but its future remains uncertain due to a conflicting Senate version that originally sought to challenge the Supreme Court’s Plyler v. Doe decision guaranteeing free public education regardless of status. The amended House bill removes provisions that could have led to disenrollment, amid concerns over risking up to $1bn in federal funding, though critics argue it still raises privacy risks and could deter immigrant families from enrolling children in school. Lawmakers remain divided, with the Senate yet to decide whether to align with the House changes, negotiate a compromise, or allow the legislation to fail altogether. The debate has been highly contentious, reflecting broader tensions over immigration policy, while a separate bill criminalizing certain undocumented immigrants has also passed the House and is expected to face legal challenges if enacted.
