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HB 5371

Relating to reporting on students not lawfully present in the United States enrolled in a public school; creating a criminal offense.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Helen Kerwin and 1 co-sponsor

Texas bill requiring schools to report undocumented students to authorities and establishing criminal penalties for non-compliance or failure to report.

Referred to Public Education
#aliens(i0032) #crimes--miscellaneous(i0200) #educationagency #texas(v9941) #education--primary&secondary--admission&attendance(i0227) #education--primary&secondary--finance(i0250) #education--schooldistricts(i0220)
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Bill Summary · HB 5371

Legislative bill overview

HB 5371 would require Texas public schools to report information about students who are not lawfully present in the United States to relevant authorities. The bill also creates a new criminal offense, though the specific penalties and enforcement mechanisms are not detailed in the available information.

Why is this important

This bill would fundamentally alter the relationship between schools and immigration enforcement by making educators mandatory reporters of immigration status. It could affect school enrollment, student safety, and institutional operations, while raising questions about enforcement capacity and legal liability for schools.

Potential points of contention

  • Student privacy and safety concerns: Reporting requirements could deter undocumented families from enrolling children, potentially increasing truancy and creating vulnerability to exploitation
  • Scope and implementation ambiguity: The bill doesn't clarify how schools would verify immigration status, what information triggers reporting, or which agencies receive reports
  • Criminal liability questions: Creating a new criminal offense raises questions about who faces charges (school officials, administrators, or others), what threshold triggers prosecution, and constitutional challenges regarding due process
  • Federal versus state authority: Immigration enforcement is primarily a federal function; state school-based reporting could create conflicts with existing federal policies and local sanctuary ordinances
  • Educational mission conflict: Mandatory immigration reporting may undermine schools' ability to serve all students and could compromise trust between families and institutions

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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