As a Knox County resident, I'm aware that SB 0836 will turn our schools into ICE traps. SB 0836 would turn enrollment into immigration questionnaires, and that  partnered with SB 6002, could make it a felony for any school official/employee to withhold information from ICE. 

SB 0836, introduced February 1, 2025, would allow local education agencies (LEAs) and public charter schools to verify a student's immigration or visa status upon enrollment. If a student can't provide proof (e.g., birth certificate or visa), schools could deny enrollment or charge tuition.

Passed Senate 25-8 on April 10, 2025; stalled in House after funding concerns ($1.1 billion federal loss risk under Plyler v. Doe). Paused June 2025, but sponsors (Sen. Bo Watson, Rep. William Lamberth) are fighting to revive it.

SB 6002, part of the January 2025 special session, creates the Centralized Immigration Enforcement Division (CIED) within the Department of Safety and criminalizes "sanctuary" policies that obstruct ICE.

Makes it a Class E felony (1-6 years prison) for officials to "knowingly withhold, conceal, or fail to provide" immigration info to ICE. Applies to schools, jails, and agencies. Includes $5 million grants for 287(g).

This is very alarming. Thousands of families will be at risk and schools will become unsafe for many, including the non-immigrant children who will have to watch the outcome of this. 

Law makers see the comments left on petitions, please leave a thoughtful and respectful note to plead with our lawmakers to ask for human rights.