TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Jun 24, 2026

Advocates are urging Gov. Bill Lee to intervene before a June 30 deadline requiring the Tennessee Department of Health to report the immigration status of certain children enrolled in the state's Children's Special Services program, the Tennessee Lookout reports. The policy affects about 400 immigrant children with serious illnesses and disabilities who rely on the program for specialized medical care. The department has warned parents that children will be reported to the Tennessee Centralized Immigration Enforcement Division — an agency established in 2025 to oversee collaboration with federal immigration agencies — after June 30 as a condition of continued care. During a Tuesday news conference, advocates said families are being forced to choose between continuing life-sustaining treatment and risking immigration enforcement. Sen. Ed Jackson, R-Jackson, a sponsor of the legislation cited by the department as the basis of its action, said he is exploring possible changes to the law, while the Tennessee Justice Center said it plans to file a legal challenge this week.