NILC Statement on Effort to Strip Education from Tennessee Kids Based on Immigration Status

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 10, 2025 

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Email: [email protected]   
Adrian Escárate, 202-609-9976  
Emily Morris, 213-457-7458    

NILC Statement on Effort to Strip Education from Tennessee Kids Based on Immigration Status

WASHINGTON — Kica Matos, president of the National Immigration Law Center, issued the following statement after the Tennessee Senate voted to pass a bill (SB0836) that would allow school districts to deny access to education to kids based on their immigration status: 

“This shameful attempt to take away Tennessee children’s freedom to learn is in clear violation of the constitution and the law. This bill would ultimately hurt all of us, because school is where kids learn the skills they need to become contributing members of our communities. We should instead be focusing on ensuring every child living in the U.S., no matter where they were born, can get a quality public education. We encourage the Tennessee House of Representatives and the governor if necessary to reject this bill. If they don’t, the National Immigration Law Center is prepared to defend the right to education for all alongside our partners in court.”   

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