This petition stands to oppose the filing of TN Bill 0793 (Lamberth) countering 1984 Plyler v. Doe, which gave entitled all children to public education despite immigration status. The Fourteenth Amendment states, "no State shall...deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." There is no factor stated from within this text that deters anyone, including those who are deemed undocumented immigrants, from the protection of these rights. Citizenship is not a prerequisite for this Amendment to take affect, giving all people the right to public education. Lamberth seeks to deny the right for undocumented immigrants access these bare resources, going directly against the Constitution this country was founded upon.

While this bill sits filed for now, if it were to pass, children would be wrongfully punished for circumstances outside of their control. S. Todd Gardenshire (R-Chattanooga) speaks on Bill 0793, "It saddens me that we pick on children...that's just something we ought not to do here. These kids are brought here by their parents. If you believe in the Bible, as I do, all through the Old Testament it talks about you don't punish children for what their fathers do." Even though Gardenshire has shown support for the increase of border control, he still acknowledges the absurd claim that this is for the good of the people. Students would be stripped of their education, only creating a more difficult path towards "freedom and opportunity to succeed and attain a better life," the core of the American Dream popularized by James Truslow Adams. With the loss of an immigrant population in the schools whom are filled with fear in a place deeming to provide freedom of rights, the taxes they pay would create a crater in the economy greater than the potential savings from not investing in their education. The passing of this bill would only negatively affect the  societal, economical, and educational factors of both those directly affected (undocumented immigrants) and those on the opposing side.

While Bill 0793 would not only give the option for schools to deny access of public education to undocumented immigrants, this would become a foothold for potential other and more constitutionally questionable bills to gain traction. Governors and Representatives would now be able to push the boundaries further and further, only creating confusion amongst the people. Our constitutional rights would continue to be tested, separating the body into distinct groups rather than cultivating a country of diversity and equality.

The repeal of Bill 0793 would continue to embrace all people within the public school sector, providing a safe place for children to learn and grow. Educators would not have to fear of students being taken from schools, stripped of their rights, and left to communicate the new absence to their classes. Undocumented immigrant families would still have access to a better future through the education system, without legal discrimination from the schools. While this Bill sits filed currently, now is the time to raise our voice for those who cannot do it themselves, struck with fear of deportation. Taking action to work towards a repeal before Bill 0793 is passed is a necessity to ensure the safety of all families.