2026 TN Legislative Session Recap

The 2026 half of Tennessee General Assembly’s 114th legislative session has officially come to a close. For many across our state, especially immigrant families, students, and educators, this session carried significant weight. A number of proposed bills had the potential to reshape access to education, increase surveillance of immigrant communities, and redefine the role of public institutions in immigration enforcement.

Here’s where things landed and why it matters.

Bills We Opposed: Where They Ended Up

❌ HB 793 / SB 836 — FAILED

By Rep. Lamberth and Sen. Watson

This bill that triggered a statewide Education For All coalition would have allowed public school districts to deny free K-12 education to children if they could not provide documentation proving citizenship or legal residency.

Had this passed, the bill would have had to be contested at the Supreme Court level (see: Plyler v. Doe, 1982). Its failure is significant. Access to public education, regardless of immigration status, is a long-standing right grounded in federal precedent.

❌ HB 1711 / SB 2108 — FAILED

By Rep. Davis and Sen. White

This bill sought to require law enforcement and public institutions including public K-12 schools to report individuals suspected of living unlawfully in the United States to ICE.

This would have fundamentally altered the relationship between communities and essential services. Schools, in particular, could have shifted from places of learning and safety into sites of surveillance.Its failure reflects the power of collective advocacy and the importance of protecting trust within our communities.

⚠️ HB 1710 / SB 1915 — PASSED

By Rep. Powers and Sen. Jackson

This legislation requires public higher education institutions, hospitals, prisons, and service providers to track and report on individuals seeking services who cannot verify citizenship or residency status.

While it does not directly deny services, it introduces new layers of data collection that raise concerns about privacy, access, and the potential chilling effect on individuals seeking care, education, or support.

⚠️ HB 2219 / SB 2223 — PASSED

By Rep. Garrett and Sen. Johnson

This bill mandates that all sheriff departments in Tennessee participate in the federal 287(g) program, requiring local law enforcement to share immigration status information of inmates with ICE.

This expands the role of local law enforcement in federal immigration enforcement and may increase fear and mistrust between immigrant communities and police.

Reflection & Next Steps

If signed into law by Gov. Lee, the passed bills will go into effect on July 1, 2026.

The 114th Tennessee legislative session has left communities across our state with many lessons upon which to reflect. Some were found in moments of victory as well as hard truths.

On one hand, we saw the advancement of policies that increase monitoring and enforcement pressures on immigrant communities, initiatives that don’t actually make Tennessee communities safer. 

On the other hand, we witnessed the defeat of some of the most harmful proposals, particularly those that would have directly impacted children’s access to education and forced schools into immigration enforcement roles.

That did not happen by accident.

It happened because the people of Tennessee organized. Because communities showed up. Because advocates, families, educators, and allies used their voices to let legislators know that education is a right, regardless of where or how our children end up in our schools. 

The failure of HB 793 and HB 1711 is a powerful reminder: our collective voice works.

Together, we protected K-12 students. We protected immigrant children. We pushed back against efforts that would have made schools less safe and less accessible.

At the same time, the passage of other bills signals that the work is far from over.

Organizations like La Paz Chattanooga will continue to advocate for the rights, dignity, and well-being of immigrant communities across Tennessee.

Moving Forward

This legislative session underscores both the challenges ahead and the power we hold together.

We will continue to:

• Build community

• Empower our local communities with information and education

• Advocate boldly

• Protect access to education and essential services

Because every Tennessean, regardless of where they were born, deserves safety, opportunity, and the ability to thrive. And this session proved something important: when we act together, we can shape Tennessee’s future.

To stay updated on legislation affecting our immigrant and marginalized communities in TN, follow @tnimmigrant, @tnjustice, and @aclu_tennessee