Undocumented student bill advances amid more protests

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF)- A bill that would allow schools to deny admission to undocumented students has cleared another hurdle.

Sponsored by Senator Bo Watson of Hixson, House Bill 793 cleared the Tennessee House Education Committee by a 11 to 7 vote.

A ten year old girl from Chattanooga protesting a bill that would allow schools to not enroll undocumented students in front of a House committee. (Courtesy: Southern Christian Coalition)

Senator Watson has stated that while this is a very hard thing to do, he says that tightening budgets and limited space have necessitated this bill.

There have been several protests of the bill, as its opponents say that it unfairly attacks children.

One of these moments occurred when that committee took a vote, as according to the Southern Christian Coalition, a ten year old girl from Chattanooga confronted legislators yelling “You’re taking away my friends!”

The only representative from our area present on that committee, Yusuf Hakeem, voted against that legislation.

It moves in front of another Senate committee next week.