Key facts
- A judge temporarily ordered Tennessee not to share information about 400 sick and disabled immigrant children in a healthcare program with immigration authorities.
A judge has temporarily blocked Tennessee from sharing information about approximately 400 seriously ill and disabled immigrant children enrolled in a healthcare program with immigration authorities. The order came after doctors sued, citing the potential harm to children and families.
The ruling temporarily protects vulnerable immigrant children with serious medical conditions from being reported to immigration authorities, preventing potential family separation and ensuring continued access to critical healthcare services while the legal challenge proceeds.
A judge has issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Tennessee Department of Health from providing immigration authorities with information on approximately 400 seriously ill and disabled immigrant children enrolled in a healthcare assistance program. The order, issued Wednesday, came at the request of three Nashville doctors who treat these children and sued after state officials sent letters indicating a new law required the sharing of identifying information for program participants.
The Children's Special Services program, which receives federal funding and has existed for decades, provides medical coverage for children with severe conditions such as cancer, cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, and diabetes. The state's letters informed families that based on their immigration status, they would be reported to the Tennessee Department of Safety's immigration division if they remained in the program. This new law is part of a broader legislative effort by Tennessee Republicans to support President Donald Trump's immigration policies, requiring government agencies to verify the legal status of individuals before granting public benefits.
Michele Johnson, executive director of the Tennessee Justice Center, which filed the lawsuit on behalf of the doctors, stated that the situation presents an impossible choice for mothers and risks the lives and dignity of these children. Doctors from Siloam Health clinics, which serve uninsured and underserved patients, expressed in affidavits that some of their patients feared losing access to essential medical care. Some patients, even those not in the country illegally but living in mixed-status families, reportedly left or planned to leave the program due to the threat of being reported to immigration officials. The lawsuit argues that implementing the rule would prevent doctors from providing care to their patients, leading to irreparable harm if the court does not intervene.
A spokesperson for the state attorney general's office stated that the complaint is under review and declined to comment. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for July 2 in Nashville. House Speaker Cameron Sexton had previously stated in January that the state intended to have data and transparency regarding taxpayer spending on individuals in the country illegally.