NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The sponsor of a bill seeking to require students to provide their citizenship status when they register for public schools has withdrawn the measure for the year.
Republican Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver of Lancaster said Tuesday it was with a “heavy heart” that she abandoned the measure to check Social Security numbers, passports or birth certificates.
She said the bill (HB1085) was opposed by lobbyists, members of the House State and Local Government Committee and school superintendents.
Weaver said the proposal was meant to determine how many illegal immigrants are in Tennessee public schools and what their enrollment costs.
Republican Rep. Curry Todd of Collierville, the panel’s chairman, ruled out attempts by House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Turner of Nashville to respond to Weaver’s comments.