In a legislative session marked by thorny debates on health care, education, transportation and environmental protections, one topic dominated this year’s discussions: immigration. Even so, one of the most controversial pieces of immigration legislation — one that caused numerous protests, led to the arrest of 80-year-old protester Lynn McFarland and stirred social media discourse — never made it to the House floor for consideration.
House Bill 793/Senate Bill 836 would have allowed local school boards to prohibit undocumented students from attending public schools if they could not prove their legal citizenship status. The Senate version of the bill would have allowed schools to charge tuition to the families of undocumented students. Republican backers of the bill said its intent was to save Tennessee money, but no proof was ever shown that it would. Many rebuked this notion, citing the fact that undocumented families in Tennessee pay $900 million in tax revenue annually, according to a report from the American Immigration Council.
An unknown number of people were detained in traffic stops and surrendered to federal immigration authorities, then bused out of state
While the bill was sponsored by House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) and Sen. Bo Watson (R-Hixson), several of their fellow Republicans voted against the bill. Some argued that it goes against the teachings of the Bible and punishes children for their parents’ actions. The legislation was widely criticized by Democrats, faith leaders and immigrant advocacy groups who called it discriminatory. Its opponents regularly argued that it would pose a challenge to Plyler v. Doe, a 1982 U.S. Supreme Court ruling solidifying the right to public education for all children regardless of their immigration status.
The bill narrowly passed in its committee hearings before making it to the Senate floor, where it ultimately passed 19-13.
The legislation was set to be heard in its final House committee before heading to the floor for a vote that would send it to the governor’s desk. And then — in the session’s final weeks — Lamberth announced that the state’s fiscal review director had sent a letter to U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon to clarify whether the legislation would endanger $1.1 billion in federal funding for the state due to the bill potentially violating the Civil Rights Act of 1964. By the time the General Assembly wrapped its business on April 22, they had not received a response.
“Under the Trump administration, I anticipate that the answer is going to be that it will not endanger the funds,” Lamberth told reporters after the end of this year’s session. “But it’s just too big of a risk to take at this juncture.”
While this year’s session has come to a close, the bill is not fully dead. Lamberth noted that this is the first year of a two-year session, and that lawmakers have more time to tweak the bill and bring it back for consideration in 2026.
Immigrant Enforcement and Sanctuary Policies
Several other bills targeting undocumented immigrants did pass this year. In a special session at the start of the year, extensive immigration crackdowns were passed, creating a centralized immigration enforcement division exempt from much of the state’s open records laws.
Veteran federal agent Ryan Hubbard to lead new division, which is largely exempt from the state’s Public Records Act
Gov. Bill Lee recently announced that former federal agent Ryan Hubbard will lead the new division. The legislation will also establish grant programs to allow local law enforcement to arrange detainment agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and criminalize sanctuary policies implemented by officials and local governments.
Driver’s Licenses
Another divisive bill signed by the governor will invalidate out-of-state driver’s licenses issued to undocumented immigrants. Tennessee does not currently issue driver’s licenses to people living in the U.S. unlawfully. The new law will make undocumented immigrants’ use of out-of-state licenses while driving a class-B misdemeanor.
Smuggling, Harboring or Hiding
Additionally, lawmakers passed a bill that criminalizes smuggling, harboring or hiding undocumented immigrants. It creates various felony and misdemeanor charges that could lead to fines or prison time for violators. While Republicans say the legislation’s purpose is to deter human trafficking, churches and nonprofits who offer support to undocumented immigrants worry they could be penalized.
The good, the bad and the ugly from the 2025 session of the Tennessee General Assembly
