A group of more than 25 Chattanooga business owners is strongly opposing a bill that would require immigration background checks for students in Tennessee’s public schools. The Tennessee Small Business Alliance, which includes restaurants, real estate agencies, retail stores, and other local businesses, argues that the bill is “economically reckless.”
The bill, co-sponsored by Republican Senator Bo Watson, aims to require proof of legal residence for students enrolling in public K-12 and charter schools. It would also allow schools to charge tuition for students who cannot prove they are legally in the U.S., or deny them access to public education entirely.
House Leader William Lamberth of Gallatin, a co-sponsor of the bill, introduced a version that differs slightly. His proposal would make it optional, rather than mandatory, for schools to check students’ immigration status. The bill has gained significant attention as one of the most controversial issues in Tennessee’s 2025 legislative session. It will next be debated in a House committee on Monday.
In a statement, the Tennessee Small Business Alliance condemned the legislation as a “political stunt” that is “economically reckless” and out of touch with local values. The statement cited figures from the American Immigration Council, which found that more than 430,000 immigrants in Tennessee paid $4.4 billion in taxes—over $10,000 per immigrant.
Senator Watson defended the bill, saying it raises important questions about the financial impact of educating undocumented students. He argued that these questions have not been adequately addressed. Watson also pointed to the Supreme Court’s 1982 decision in Plyler v. Doe, which guarantees a right to public education for all children, regardless of immigration status. He said the decision has not been revisited in the context of today’s challenges and called for a transparent discussion on how Tennessee allocates educational resources.
Watson also mentioned that the rising costs of English-language instruction in public schools played a role in his decision to sponsor the bill. However, Democrats have criticized this argument, claiming it makes inaccurate assumptions about the legal status of English language learners.
Kelly Fitzgerald, a Chattanooga business owner and mother, was among those who signed the statement opposing the bill. Fitzgerald, whose children attend Hamilton County Public Schools, expressed concern about the impact on undocumented children who had no control over their immigration status. “Do our representatives believe that undocumented children—who had no say in their immigration status—should be denied a public education?” she said.
She also emphasized that her children are receiving a quality education and that all children should have the same opportunities. “There are much bigger issues at hand in the current environment, and we should leave children out of the conversation,” Fitzgerald added.
The debate over the bill is expected to continue as the legislative session progresses.
