Tennessee educators are pushing back against proposed state legislation that would require schools to collect students’ immigration status, arguing it could undermine trust with immigrant families and conflict with federal protections under Plyler v. Doe. Principals and school leaders describe enrollment and engagement impacts after heightened immigration enforcement fears in the prior year. They warn that adding immigration-status tracking at the school level could trigger further community withdrawals and worsen absenteeism and mental health strain. The bill is framed by supporters as enforcement-aligned policy, but opponents say it would effectively pressure schools to defy federal law and could shift student support systems toward compliance checks rather than educational access.