Hamilton County principals oppose bill limiting immigrant student access

MGN

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  The Hamilton County Principal Association (HCPA) is opposing any legislation seeking to bar immigrant children from schools.

HCPA called out Senate Bill 0836, introduced by local Senator Bo Watson, in the following statement:

“On behalf of the Hamilton County Principals Association, we are writing to express our
collective opposition to any proposed legislation that seeks to deny enrollment of immigrant
children in public schools. Specifically, we are strongly opposed to SB 0836 proposed by Senator
Bo Watson.

The Association is asking the Hamilton County School Board to pass a resolution promising to
allow school access to all children who reside in Hamilton County.

As leaders of public schools across Hamilton County, we stand firmly in the belief that every
child and every community must be served. Our schools are not only institutions of learning—
they are the heart of our neighborhoods, and they reflect our shared values of inclusion, dignity,
and opportunity for all.

Public education in the United States is a right afforded to all children, regardless of their
background or immigration status. Denying this right not only contradicts our professional ethics
and moral responsibilities, but also violates legal precedent grounded in the U.S. Constitution.
Under the 14th Amendment, “No state shall… deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal
protection of the laws.” This constitutional protection, affirmed by the Supreme Court in Plyler v.
Doe (1982), guarantees that children cannot be excluded from receiving a public education based
on immigration status.

As educators, our mission is clear: we are dedicated to creating safe, welcoming, and inclusive
environments where all students can thrive. Efforts to exclude children from school due to their
immigration status undermine this mission, threaten the well-being of vulnerable communities,
and harm the future of our nation.

As school principals, we do not support any legislation that would restrict any child’s access to
education. We stand firm with families and communities in upholding the values that make our
public schools essential to a productive and just society.”

On Behalf of the Hamilton County Principals Association
Greg Wilkey, President
Rashaad Williams, Vice-President
Jill Levine, Treasurer
Jesse Goins, Secretary