Snader v. Tennessee Department of Health

On June 24, 2026, the Tennessee Justice Center filed suit on behalf of three Nashville physicians seeking to protect their patients from the implementation of a new state rule targeting immigrant children with severe disabilities. The doctors’ patients are among 400 immigrant children across Tennessee who receive medical care through a federally funded program known as Children’s Special Services. For decades, the program has provided advanced care to medically fragile children, regardless of their immigration status, if they have no other access to care. The doctors’ patients require ongoing care for life-threatening conditions such as congenital heart disease, leukemia and severe seizure disorders. The rule requires the state health department to report to immigration enforcement officials all children still receiving care through the CSS program who are suspected of not having proper immigration status.

The doctors charge that the new rule violates state and federal law. They ask the state Chancery Court to restrain state health officials from reporting the children to immigration enforcement officials until the Court can decide the lawsuit. They warn that the costly, complex care their patients require will be unavailable without the CSS program. They state that even a brief disruption of care would be harmful, and could be deadly for some.​

​

UPDATE AS OF 3PM CT ON JULY 14th, 2026:

​

The Davidson County Chancery Court has entered an Agreed Temporary Injunction protecting families affected by this case.

Under the order, the Tennessee Department of Health mus not report identifying information about affected Children's Special Services (CSS) participants to the state's centralized immigration enforcement division. The Department must also restore and maintain enrollment for eligible children, continue annual recertification without considering immigration status, and notify affected families and healthcare providers that these protections are in place. The Agreed Temporary Injunction will remain in effect until trial, which has not yet been scheduled. 

If you are a CSS family, you do NOT need to leave the program right now.