Mapping Change

Publication Date

Spring 4-22-2026

Presentation Length

20 minutes

College

College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences

Department

Social Work, Department of

Student Level

Undergraduate

Faculty Mentor

Jennifer Crowell-Thompson

Presentation Type

Talk/Oral

Summary

Tennessee House Bill 0793 is attempting to restrict access to public education for children who are not lawfully present in the United States. It requires all students who attend schools in Local Education Agencies and public charter schools in Tennessee to provide documentation proving their legal presence in the United States. Should the student fail to provide such documentation, this bill would allow the school to charge tuition or turn the student away if the student's family cannot pay. HB793 was passed by the House Representatives on March 16th, 2026, but it still requires an additional reconciliation with its partner Senate bill (SB836) before reaching the governor. Should this bill become law, it would fundamentally change the way that public schools operate in Tennessee. Public education and its access would deteriorate, which could open the door to more opportunities for systemic injustice for not only those who are undocumented, but also for additional minority and underserved groups. This bill violates several social work values and ethics, given that it possesses discriminatory foundations and seeks to take away the right to an education from children who are a part of historically vulnerable and oppressed groups. As such, the social work profession should not approve of this bill and should advocate against its passing.

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