Tennessee’s Senate just passed a bill letting schools charge the parents of illegal immigrant students tuition.
Key Facts:
- On Thursday, Tennessee’s Senate approved a bill allowing schools to charge tuition for illegal immigrants, voting 19–13.
- The bill was introduced by Republican State Senator Bo Watson, aiming to challenge the 1982 Supreme Court ruling Plyler v. Doe.
- Students unable to prove legal residency could be denied admission if they don’t pay tuition.
- A House version of the bill is progressing through committees and will be reviewed by the Finance Subcommittee soon.
- The legislation follows concerns from counties like Rutherford, where English Learner populations rose 140% in a decade.
The Rest of the Story: Tennessee Tuition Law and Illegal Immigrants
The Tennessee Senate has taken a bold step by approving legislation that permits public schools to charge tuition to students who cannot prove legal residency.
The bill was passed with a 19–13 vote, despite protests and opposition from several Republican senators.
Senator Bo Watson, who sponsored the bill, framed it as a pushback against federal overreach, particularly the 1982 Supreme Court ruling in Plyler v. Doe, which mandated public education for children of illegal immigrants.
“This is the voice of the people,” Watson said, contrasting the decision with the unelected nature of the Court.
Under the new bill, schools will still be required to enroll U.S. citizens and legal residents.
However, schools would be allowed to charge tuition—and potentially deny admission—if a student cannot show proof of legal status and refuses to pay.
An added amendment emphasizes that Tennessee taxpayers shouldn’t be forced to foot the bill for illegal immigration.
Protest at the TN Capital Building after bill to charge illegal who are students tuition advances.
If you’re illegal, then democracy looks like a one-way ticket back to your home country. pic.twitter.com/v8O7xLTGVa
— Insurrection Barbie (@DefiyantlyFree) April 10, 2025
Commentary: A Rational Step Toward Upholding the Rule of Law
This legislation is a long-overdue correction.
Tennessee lawmakers are right to say that local schools—and by extension, local taxpayers—should not be financially burdened by students who are in the country illegally.
Education is expensive, and when the system is overwhelmed by non-citizens, quality and fairness suffer.
The current federal precedent, Plyler v. Doe, forces states to fund public education for illegal immigrants, regardless of cost or impact.
That’s not sustainable.
It’s also not just.
The state has a duty to prioritize its own citizens, especially when school budgets are already stretched thin.
The Tennessee General Assembly’s amendment makes that clear.
Opponents argue that illegal immigrants pay taxes.
But as Senator Watson rightly pointed out, no one can say for certain if those contributions come close to covering the costs—especially when schools are spending extra on ESL programs, transportation, and administrative resources.
In counties like Rutherford, where English Learner populations have more than doubled, this financial pressure is already real.
This bill doesn’t ban children from attending school.
It simply says: if you’re here illegally, you need to pay your way—or go through the proper legal process to gain access.
That’s a fair compromise in a system that’s been taken advantage of for too long.
Of course, this move will likely face legal hurdles.
Activist judges may look for any excuse to strike it down.
But Tennessee is making the right call.
We hope they stand firm and that other states take notice.
If the courts want to stop it, they’ll have to show why states don’t have a say in who they educate and at what cost.
The Bottom Line: End of Free Education for Illegals in Tennessee
Tennessee is laying the groundwork to reclaim control over its education system.
By passing this bill, the state is taking a stand for legal accountability, fiscal responsibility, and the rights of taxpayers.
Whether or not courts uphold it, the message is clear: the free ride is over, and other states may soon follow.
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