Concerns Mount Over New Immigration Policy Impacting Undocumented Children in Tennessee
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Health care providers are voicing alarm regarding a new immigration policy in Tennessee that will affect hundreds of chronically ill undocumented children. This population is currently part of the vital ‘Children’s Special Services’ program, which aims to provide essential medical resources for these vulnerable individuals.
The program is designed to ensure children with physical disabilities, including those with cerebral palsy, receive comprehensive medical care. Families with incomes at or below 225% of the federal poverty line are eligible for full coverage funded by both state and federal sources.
Siloam Health, with locations in Melrose and Antioch, is among the health providers that primarily cater to immigrant populations. Many children served by this organization suffer from chronic conditions, necessitating crucial medical equipment such as wheelchairs, ventilators, and feeding tubes.
According to Katie Richards, CEO of Siloam Health, the organization’s mission is deeply rooted in compassion. “Christ calls us to care for the vulnerable,” she stated, highlighting the plight of childhood cancer patients among their clientele.
Richards pointed out that many of their patients lack insurance and consequently have limited access to essential health resources. Recently, one of these patients received a letter from the Tennessee Department of Health that informed undocumented parents their child’s information would be sent to the state’s new Centralized Immigration Enforcement Division (CIED) starting July 1, as stipulated by the new law.
This announcement has heightened anxiety among families. “There’s fear and confusion,” Richards noted, emphasizing that such fears may deter patients from seeking necessary medical care, especially given concerns over potential deportation linked to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In Davidson County alone, nearly 90 households are expected to receive similar notifications, according to the Metro Public Health Department. Dr. Morgan McDonald, speaking at the most recent Metro Public Health Conference, detailed the challenges faced by doctors in light of this new directive. “Clinicians and nurses are scrambling for ventilators, feeding tubes, and metabolic milk to keep children out of the hospital and to save their lives,” he explained.
The Tennessee Department of Health confirmed to Senator Heidi Campbell that approximately 400 households statewide will be affected. Campbell expressed concern that the law applies only to individuals 18 and older seeking public benefits, adding that state officials have been reticent to engage in further dialogue due to ongoing litigation related to the issue.
As one of the lawmakers instrumental in passing this legislation, Campbell emphasized the need for transparency from state officials. “If you ask a question on behalf of your constituents, you should get an answer,” she said, stressing the importance of clarity regarding the implementation of this policy.
Republican lawmakers have been noncommittal about their stance, with State Representative Mark Cochran stating the legislation aims to restrict public benefits in Tennessee to those legally present in the U.S. and mandates appropriate referrals to ICE for undocumented applicants, all while complying with federal emergency care obligations. Meanwhile, inquiries made to the CIED regarding how patient information will be handled have gone unanswered, and the Tennessee Department of Health has also not responded to further questions.
