Tennessee educators are warning that proposed state legislation requiring schools to collect students’ immigration status could erode trust with immigrant families and reduce enrollment. The concern follows reports of enrollment decline and fear of immigration enforcement in at least one local district. Principals argue that if schools begin “tracking and recording” immigration status, families may become less willing to engage with schools on other academic and community issues. The article notes Tennessee is among a small group of states pursuing actions challenging undocumented students’ rights under Plyler v. Doe, which protects access to free public education. The backdrop includes rescinded federal protections for schools against immigration enforcement activity and subsequent reports of related absences, mental health concerns, and enrollment drops. For higher education professionals, the policy fight is relevant as it can reshape K-12 pipelines that feed colleges, especially for institutions relying on resilient local recruitment and transfer pathways.