State Sen. Todd Gardenhire, a conservative Republican from Tennessee, has been a staunch advocate for many conservative issues like anti-abortion laws and gun rights. He was re-elected to his fourth term recently, largely due to his positions on these matters.
However, when it comes to children of immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally, Gardenhire stands apart from many in his own party, even as they back President Donald Trump’s hardline stance on immigration.
Since he began his tenure in 2012, Gardenhire has pushed for more access to education for Tennessee students, regardless of their immigration status. For instance, he has sponsored bills to help all Tennessee students, including undocumented ones, access in-state college tuition. Gardenhire, who also supports private school vouchers, even voted against Governor Bill Lee’s 2019 school voucher plan because it excluded undocumented students.
This year, Gardenhire introduced a bill aimed at exempting school-based officers from a new state law that mandates local law enforcement to notify federal immigration authorities when they discover someone living in the U.S. illegally.
Gardenhire is a firm believer in the notion that children should not be punished for their parents’ actions. He pointed out that the scriptures from the Old Testament make it clear that children should not suffer for the wrongdoings of others. He emphasized that schools should remain a safe haven for learning and that involving school officers in immigration enforcement would make children afraid to attend school.
Gardenhire’s stance on the matter places him in opposition to some of his fellow Republicans, who support more aggressive enforcement of immigration laws. This difference of opinion within the GOP could lead to tensions about whether to shield schools and families or ramp up immigration enforcement, as the Trump administration follows through with its promises from the campaign trail.
When President Trump took office, one of his first actions was to revoke a 30-year-old policy that had previously kept immigration agents from making arrests near “sensitive” locations such as schools, hospitals, and churches.
The new directive from the Department of Homeland Security instead instructs agents to use their judgment in making decisions about arrests. This shift in policy could have widespread consequences for every school in the country, potentially altering public opinion on the Trump administration’s immigration agenda.
Lisa Sherman Luna, executive director of the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition, shared concerns about how these changes could affect school environments. She pointed out that the policy could create anxiety among students who are already uncertain about their classmates’ immigration status.
Teachers and parents, too, may feel the added pressure of worrying about their students or children. Luna believes that making immigration arrests near schools would create unnecessary trauma, and she anticipates significant public pushback, even from conservative Republicans.
Nationwide, millions of children born in the U.S. have at least one parent who is undocumented. In Tennessee alone, there are an estimated 12,000 school-age children who are undocumented. While many Americans support deporting individuals who are in the country illegally, a recent poll showed that a majority are uncomfortable with the idea of expedited removals that separate families or deporting people who came to the U.S. as children.
The Trump administration’s approach to immigration enforcement is stirring new debates. With the president ordering U.S. attorneys to prosecute local officials who resist implementing his immigration agenda, many local and state officials are grappling with the implications of these policy changes. On January 27, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee is calling the legislature into a special session to discuss immigration enforcement and other related issues, such as private school vouchers.
Advocates for immigrant families are hoping that Republicans like Gardenhire will continue to support the rights of immigrant students in the state. Gardenhire, whose district includes both urban and rural areas, is an unlikely ally to immigrant families, but he has earned the respect of advocates for his strong stance on education.
Gardenhire has worked alongside immigrant rights groups in the past, sponsoring bills that aimed to help immigrant students succeed. His actions show a deep belief in the importance of education for all children, regardless of their background.
The Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association supports Gardenhire’s bill to exempt school resource officers from the new law. The association argues that the role of school resource officers should be focused on keeping schools safe, building trust with students and faculty, and creating an environment where children do not fear law enforcement.
As Gardenhire continues to navigate the complexities of the immigration debate, he remains true to his personal values. He views education as a moral issue, and his work on behalf of immigrant children reflects his deep commitment to ensuring all children have the opportunity to succeed. He remains dedicated to protecting children, regardless of their immigration status, and believes that all of us will be held accountable for how we treat the most vulnerable.
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