New Policy Threatens Lifesaving Care for Immigrant Children in Tennessee
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Walter, a ten-year-old boy born with spina bifida, has relied on essential medical care through a program known as Children’s Special Services (CSS). His mother, Gabriela, describes the support as a blessing, as CSS has covered all of Walter’s medical expenses, including hospital bills, specialist fees, medications, and essential supplies.
In 2019, Gabriela and her family fled Honduras seeking asylum and critical medical treatment for Walter. Due to concerns about immigration authorities, she requested that only her first name be used during this process. “My husband has been paying taxes since 2020. We want to do everything legally,” she said, emphasizing their commitment to complying with the law.
Walter has benefited from CSS, a safety net program that supports low-income children with severe disabilities or terminal conditions. Since its inception in the 1930s, CSS has operated without regard to immigration status, serving as a vital resource for immigrant families who do not qualify for Medicaid. Funded by a combination of state and federal maternal and child health services, this program does not require immigration verification according to federal guidelines.
However, Gabriela recently received alarming news from the Tennessee Department of Health, informing her that she must deregister or risk being reported to state and immigration authorities. The state intends to initiate reporting of children lacking legal immigration status starting June 30.
“I can’t believe this is happening to innocent children. They are like angels,” said Gabriela, expressing her anguish over the impact of the new policy. Walter is one of around 400 critically ill immigrant children in Tennessee relying on CSS for life-sustaining care, with at least 90 families in Nashville facing similar threats.
According to Michelle Johnson, executive director of the Tennessee Justice Center, the proposed changes stem from a 2026 law requiring immigration verification to safeguard public interests, which includes criminal penalties for officials who neglect to report status. “Children will die because of this decision, and we know this from medical experts,” Johnson stated.
Walter’s upcoming surgery, originally scheduled for July, has already been canceled as the family deemed it necessary to withdraw from CSS due to fears of increased scrutiny. Gabriela worries that while they seek to remain in the U.S., the costs of medical care are prohibitive, and returning to Honduras would jeopardize her son’s life.
The Tennessee Center for Justice has labeled the new policy as illegal and is exploring legal actions. Johnson urges community members to contact Governor Lee and advocate for a reevaluation of the legislation. “Tennessee is the only state adopting such discriminatory practices, and history will not forget these actions,” she asserted.
In response to inquiries about the policy, the governor’s office stated that Tennessee must administer the Children’s Special Services Program in compliance with federal and state laws. Efforts to reach the bill’s sponsors for comments had mixed results, with Sen. Ed Jackson’s office affirming support for immigration law enforcement while maintaining that the law primarily targets adults rather than children. “No child will be denied life-saving treatment under this law,” his office claims. Representative Dennis Power’s office has yet to respond.
