The Tennessee state Senate voted 19–13 Thursday and passed SB 0836, a bill allowing public and charter schools to deny enrollment to undocumented students.
The measure would allow schools to charge tuition to offset costs for undocumented students, though challenges are expected under the 1982 Supreme Court case Plyler v. Doe, which ensures their access to public education.
Protesters shouted inside the chamber and crowded the Senate halls, arguing the bill unfairly punished children, while supporters called it a budget issue, not a social one.
The bill will now go before the state House for consideration.