Senator Bo Watson (R-Hixson) spoke during the debate, citing strain on the state’s budget as one of the primary reasons this legislation was filed.
“I am offended by this legislation,” Senator Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis) said. “…People do not come to this country just because. It is because they have no other option.”
Akbari and Watson mentioned the rescinded resolution from the Rutherford County School board advocating for the closure of the United States’ southern border. That resolution called for increased funding to handle the influx of students who don’t speak English.
Watson said his bill was focused on finances, citing what he said was ESL costs that more than doubled statewide from 2016 to 2018, to $198 million.
A new amendment to the bill states students would have to verify their citizenship status and if they can’t, public school districts would be allowed to essentially charge them tuition. If the student doesn’t pay, the district would have the option to deny enrollment.
