A judge has issued a temporary order preventing the Tennessee Department of Health from sharing information about nearly 400 seriously sick and disabled immigrant children with federal immigration authorities. The order, which went into effect Wednesday, was a response to a lawsuit filed by three Nashville doctors who treat some of these children.
State officials had previously sent letters to healthcare providers and immigrant families stating that a new state law required them to share identifying information of individuals enrolled in a specific healthcare assistance program after June. This law was part of a broader legislative effort by Tennessee Republicans aimed at supporting federal immigration enforcement efforts. A spokesperson for the state attorney general's office stated that the complaint was under review and declined to comment on the lawsuit.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the doctors by the Tennessee Justice Center. Michele Johnson, the center's executive director, stated that the situation presented an "impossible choice for mothers, and it risks the lives and the dignity of these children." The center has been advising families to remain in the program while the court considers the matter. A hearing is scheduled for July 2 in Nashville.
The program in question, the Children's Special Services program, has been in existence for decades and receives partial federal funding. It covers medical costs for children with serious health conditions, including cancer, cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, and diabetes. According to the lawsuit, families in the program received letters informing them that, based on their immigration status, they would be reported to the Tennessee Department of Safety's immigration division if they continued to participate.
The new law mandates that government agencies verify the legal status of residents before they can receive public benefits. This measure is among several enacted in recent years in Tennessee targeting immigrants' access to work, licenses, and public services. In January, House Speaker Cameron Sexton remarked, "We’re going to do what we can to make sure that if you’re here illegally, we will have the data, we’ll have the transparency, and we’re not spending taxpayer dollars on you unless you’re in jail."
The doctors involved in the lawsuit, who work at Siloam Health clinics serving uninsured and underserved populations, stated in affidavits that some of their patients feared losing access to essential medical care for their children. Some patients who received letters were not in the country illegally but were part of families with mixed immigration statuses and planned to leave the program due to the threat of immigration authorities being notified. The lawsuit contends that the implementation of this rule would hinder the doctors' ability to provide care, arguing that the harm would be "irreparable if the court didn’t intervene."