House committee advances student immigration status bill

The House Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee considers House Bill 793 on March 4, 2026.
Photo: Hamilton Matthew Masters

Controversial legislation that would have banned undocumented students in Tennessee from attending public school or charged them tuition has effectively been scrapped.

Relatedly, a House subcommittee has advanced a rewritten version of the bill removing those provisions and adding language that instead requires schools to track the immigration status of students.

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House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) stands by as protesters hold signs in opposition of House Bill 793.
Photo: Hamilton Matthew Masters

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Rep. Justin Pearson (D-Memphis) gathers with protesters following the House Finance Ways and Means Committee’s approval of House Bill 793.
Photo: Hamilton Matthew Masters

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