Overview

• Republican lawmakers in at least five states, including Tennessee and Oklahoma, are introducing bills that could deny public school enrollment to undocumented children or require proof of citizenship during enrollment.
• These proposals challenge the 1982 Supreme Court ruling in Plyler v. Doe, which guarantees free public education to all children regardless of immigration status.
• Supporters argue the measures address financial burdens on schools, while critics say they are discriminatory and could deter families from seeking education for their children.
• Tennessee's proposed legislation would allow schools to refuse enrollment to undocumented students, while Oklahoma's plan would require parents to disclose their children's immigration status without barring enrollment.
• Legal challenges are expected if these bills pass, as opponents claim they violate constitutional protections and could lead to broader Supreme Court scrutiny of existing precedents.