A Nashville judge issued a temporary restraining order on June 25, 2026, preventing the Tennessee Department of Health from sharing the names of approximately 400 disabled and critically ill children with the state’s immigration enforcement agency, after three Tennessee physicians challenged a department notice that would have required such sharing as a condition of continued enrollment in the Children’s Special Services program.
What changed
Tennessee enacted a law requiring the health department to share the immigration status of a child with state authorities if they are enrolled in the Children’s Special Services program. The state department notified families that this sharing would occur after June 30, 2026. Davidson County Chancellor Patricia Head Moskal issued the temporary restraining order within hours of the filing of a lawsuit by three Tennessee doctors.
The lawsuit seeks an ongoing restraining order and injunction preventing state health officials from reporting the children’s immigration status while the case is litigated in court. The court found that “Plaintiffs will suffer immediate and irreparable injury, loss, or damage before Defendants can be heard in opposition to the motion.”
Why it matters
Children’s Special Services serves around 400 children in Tennessee with terminal or life-threatening illnesses such as cystic fibrosis or cancer, acting as a safety net program of last resort for those not eligible for TennCare. Physicians and faith leaders raised concerns that the law would force families to choose between continuing lifesaving medical care and risking exposure to immigration authorities.
The lawsuit alleges that parents of at least two chronically ill children “are, in fact, ‘lawfully present in the United States,’” and that the department “cannot make consistent, accurate evaluations about whether patients are ‘legally in the United States’ because an individual’s noncitizen’s immigration status is often a complex, contested, open question of law and fact.”
If immigration status reporting had proceeded, medically fragile patients would suffer irreparable harm or death as parents withdraw from the program rather than expose their children and families to immigration enforcement risks. The temporary restraining order pauses that deadline and preserves access to care while the court addresses the merits.
Way forward
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If you represent families in Tennessee: Advise your clients that the June 30 deadline for immigration status reporting is currently blocked. Monitor the ongoing litigation in Davidson County Chancery Court for updates on the permanent injunction.
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If you advise on state public-benefits law: Review whether your state has enacted or is considering similar immigration-status-reporting requirements for health programs. This TRO suggests federal or state constitutional preemption arguments may succeed.
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If you represent undocumented parents: The temporary order preserves Children’s Special Services enrollment protection. Do not withdraw children from the program based on the original June 30 deadline; the court has halted its enforcement.
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Track the case: The Tennessee Justice Center is litigating the full injunction. Keep watch for decisions on state law interpretation, federal preemption, and the public good defense.
Disclaimer
This article is written for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Fola Editorial is not a law firm and cannot represent you. Immigration and public-benefits law is complex and varies by state and circumstance. Consult a licensed attorney licensed in your state to understand how this ruling affects your specific situation. Policy can change without notice, and you should verify all information against the primary court filing and the source linked above.