Tuition Equality Fight Continues

As the state legislative session came to a close for the year, we are disappointed to see tuition equality for immigrant students denied for another year.  In the state senate, Democrats and Republicans came together to do the right thing and passed the tuition equality bill. They did the right thing not only for young people but for the state’s economy and self-interest.

But in the House on Wednesday, tuition equality fell just one vote short of passing. One vote. If not for one vote, we would be celebrating that many bright, hard-working students were now seeing new possibilities for their future and a more affordable path to college.

While the disillusionment in the faces of so many young people is heartbreaking, and the disappointment in the House members who voted no or who did not cast a vote runs deep, we must celebrate how far we have come in changing the conversation.  And we must thank those who came together and voted yes. Please join us and send a note to thank the senators and representatives below who came together with bipartisan support for tuition equality.  Those who voted no also need to hear from us that we will revisit this bill in January and expect to win their support.

The historic victory in the State Senate and the 49 votes in the House for tuition equality would have not been possible without the leadership and organizing power of our good friends and Casa Azafrán partners, the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition.  The Tennessee Farm Bureau, the Tennessee Board of Regents, the University of Tennessee system and chambers of commerce across the state were also instrumental in gaining support for tuition equality.

Tuition equality will be on the table again in January. Please stay connected and lend your voice. It does make a difference. Remember, one more vote could have changed the course of history. Read Executive Director Renata Soto’s full remarks here.