Undocumented students bill passes Tennessee Senate amid controversy

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF)- A controversial bill concerning undocumented students has cleared the Tennessee State Senate.

Sponsored by Senator Bo Watson of Hixson, it passed the Senate by a 19 to 13 vote.

The vote caused outcrys from the Senate gallery, causing those protestors to be removed.

If the bill is signed into law, it would allow local schools to decide whether or not to enroll undocumented students, and charge them tuition instead of guaranteeing a spot.

Sen. Watson said, “While immigration is a federal responsibility, and I quote again, states have a role to play, and I quote again from Plyler, to protect its fiscal interests.”

 Senator Watson said that providing ESL courses raises the cost of education by $3,500 per student, costing the state tens of millions of dollars.

However, a couple of other Republicans didn’t see eye to eye with the Senator, including fellow Hamilton County Senator, Todd Gardenhire.

Sen. Gardenhire said, “This is a bill that we do not need in the state of Tennessee, and it will not pay dividends in the future for the children.”

All other local senators in the News 12 area did vote for the bill.

Criticism of the bill is continuing to increase outside of the walls of the Tennessee General Assembly, including from local faith leaders here in Chattanooga. 

Reverend Laura Becker of Northminster Presbyterian Church said, “And as a Christian, I take seriously Jesus’ command for us to love our neighbors, and the scriptures clear call welcoming the stranger in our midst.”

Sen. Watson in response to the criticism said, “I can’t say I’ve been amazed at the level of passion this debate has generated. But it has convinced me that there is a cost, a significant cost, to addressing this problem.”

The bill is still facing a subcommittee vote in the Tennessee House before it goes in front of the General Assembly.

If it passes there, it will go to the Governor’s desk, still facing much debate ahead.