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Backers of Tennessee in-state tuition for undocumented students say they’ll try again next year

House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga, addresses the House chamber in Nashville on Wednesday, April 22, 2015, about a bill to extend in-state tuition to non-citizen students who are lawfully present in the United States. The bill ultimately fell short by a single vote.
House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga, addresses the House chamber in Nashville on Wednesday, April 22, 2015, about a bill to extend in-state tuition to non-citizen students who are lawfully present in the United States. The bill ultimately fell short by a single vote. House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga, addresses the House chamber in Nashville on Wednesday, April 22, 2015, about a bill to extend in-state tuition to non-citizen students who are lawfully present in the United States. The bill ultimately fell short by a single vote.

By Andy Sher 4 min read

NASHVILLE — As the Tennessee House debated a bill Wednesday that could determine whether he can eventually afford college, 15-year-old Carlos Reyes was in the balcony.

In the end, the bill to allow some undocumented students to pay in-state tuition at state colleges and universities failed by one vote, 49-47. Fifty votes were needed to approve the bill, which had passed in the Senate. The measure is dead until next year.

“It does make me feel kind of upset,” said Reyes, a high school student from Murfreesboro whose parents brought him illegally to the U.S. “I really hope they pass this law soon. For us, the community, the immigrants, we want to go to college. Our hopes, it’s like, we’re just waiting.”

photo Todd Gardenhire makes a point in this file photo.

The proposal was sponsored by Rep. Mark White, R-Memphis. Last week, senators approved Republican Sen. Todd Gardenhire of Chattanooga’s version of the bill on a 21-12 vote, culminating a three-year effort by Gardenhire, White and immigrant advocates.

White thought he had the votes but over the hour-plus debate, support began eroding as GOP opponents began tying the bill to continued frustration over illegal immigration and executive actions taken by President Barack Obama.