Comunidad, we need help protecting children's right to education in Tennessee.
We need your voice now more than ever. A dangerous bill, SB836/HB793, is making its way through the Tennessee legislature, threatening the fundamental right to education for immigrant children. This bill would allow public schools to deny education to children based on their immigration status, directly violating the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Plyler v. Doe (1982).
Why This Matters
📚 All Children Deserve an Education – Under federal law, every child, regardless of immigration status, has the right to a K-12 education.
💼 Hurts Our Workforce – Limiting access to education means fewer skilled workers for Tennessee’s future.
💰 Strains Public Resources – Children unable to attend school are more likely to need public assistance and become involved in the juvenile justice system, increasing costs for taxpayers.📉 Threatens Tennessee’s Economy – Immigrant families contribute billions in taxes and run thousands of businesses. Denying education only weakens our economic future.
⚖️ Legal & Financial Risks – If passed, this bill will face costly legal challenges, wasting taxpayer dollars that should be invested in our schools.
Take Action Now!
📞 Call Your Legislators – Tell them to vote NO on HB793!
Find your representative here: TN Legislator Lookup or call (615) 741-1100.
✉️ Send an Email – Use our script below or personalize your message to explain why this bill harms Tennessee’s children.
📢 Spread the Word – Share this blog post with friends, colleagues, and community members. The more voices we raise, the stronger our impact.
Phone Script to Oppose HB793
Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I am a [resident of your district/community member].
I’m calling today to strongly urge [Representative’s Name] to oppose HB793 because:
It will harm immigrant families, workers, and students.
It does not reflect our community’s values of inclusion, fairness, and opportunity.
It creates unnecessary barriers and negatively impacts our local economy.
We need policies that support all members of our community, not ones that create fear and division. Can I count on [Representative’s Name] to vote NO on HB793?
Email Script to Oppose HB793
Subject: Please Oppose HB793
Dear [Representative’s Name],
My name is [Your Name], and I am a [constituent in your district/community member]. I am writing to urge you to oppose HB793 because it will [explain the negative impact—e.g., harm immigrant families, limit opportunities, create barriers, etc.].
This bill does not reflect the values of our community. Instead of policies that create fear and division, we need legislation that fosters inclusion, opportunity, and economic growth for all.
I ask you to stand with our community and vote NO on HB793. Please prioritize policies that benefit all Tennesseans and reject harmful measures like this one.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address or City, Optional]
[Your Email]
At La Paz Chattanooga, we stand firm in our commitment to building an inclusive, thriving Tennessee. Join us in taking action today!
With determination,
Stacy Johnson
President & CEO
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