Judge Blocks Tennessee Health Department from Sharing Immigrant Children’s Medical Information
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A judge has issued a temporary order prohibiting the Tennessee Department of Health from divulging the identities of approximately 400 seriously ill or disabled immigrant children enrolled in a vital medical assistance program to immigration authorities.
This restraining order was enacted on Wednesday, following a lawsuit from three Nashville physicians who treat these children. The legal action was prompted by state officials’ notifications to healthcare providers and immigrant families indicating that, starting in late June, compliance with a new law would necessitate sharing the identities of those participating in the program.
The law in question, introduced by Tennessee Republicans earlier this year, aims to bolster President Trump’s immigration enforcement measures. A spokesperson for the state attorney general’s office declined to comment on the pending lawsuit, stating that the complaint is currently under review, and state officials have not yet addressed the matter in court documents.
Michelle Johnson, executive director of the Tennessee Justice Center, which represents the physicians in the lawsuit, expressed concern over the implications for families. “This is an impossible choice for a mother, jeopardizing her children’s lives and dignity,” she stated. Johnson advised families to remain in the program while the courts deliberate on the issue, with a hearing scheduled for July 2 in Nashville.
The Children’s Special Services Program, which has received federal funding for decades, covers medical expenses for children facing serious health conditions, such as cancer, cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, and diabetes. A recent letter from the state warned families that continuing in the program may result in their immigration status being reported to the Tennessee Department of Safety’s Immigration Division.
Under the new law, government agencies are mandated to verify the immigration status of all residents seeking public benefits. This regulation further exacerbates previous measures aimed at immigrants, impacting their ability to gain work, obtain licenses, and access free public education alongside other vital services.
House Speaker Cameron Sexton articulated his position in January: “If you’re in the country illegally, we will do everything we can to obtain the data and maintain transparency. Unless you’re incarcerated, we will not allocate tax dollars to you.” This stance reflects the growing trend of targeting immigrant communities.
The physicians involved in the lawsuit, all affiliated with Siloam Health Clinic, which serves uninsured and underserved patients, shared in affidavits the anxiety experienced by families concerned about losing access to essential medical care for their children. Some families reported that they are not undocumented immigrants; rather, they belong to “mixed-status” households. Many indicated that they felt compelled to withdraw from the program due to fears of being reported to immigration authorities.
