Tennessee Justice Center Sues to Block Law Threatening Care for 400 Undocumented Children
Updated
Updated · NBC News · Jun 24
Tennessee Justice Center Sues to Block Law Threatening Care for 400 Undocumented Children
3 articles · Updated · NBC News · Jun 24
Summary
Three Nashville physicians, backed by the Tennessee Justice Center, asked a court for a temporary restraining order to stop a Tennessee law before it takes effect in July.
About 400 immigrant children in the Children’s Special Services program were told the Health Department would share their immigration status if they stayed enrolled after June 30, putting surgeries, medications and therapy at risk.
The law, approved in May and signed by Gov. Bill Lee last month, requires local health departments to report people not lawfully present in the U.S. to the state’s immigration enforcement office.
Doctors and advocates say even brief treatment gaps could trigger seizures, more ER visits, hospitalizations and possible deaths, while Republican sponsors argue emergency and lifesaving care remains protected.
Children’s Special Services paid $2.19 million in 2024 claims for 4,640 Tennessee children, making the case a test of how far state immigration enforcement can reach into public health programs.