Image Credit: Canva
The Center Square [By Kim Jarrett] & The Tennessee Conservative –
A hearing was scheduled on Thursday in a case challenging a Tennessee requirement that health departments check the immigration status of benefit recipients.
House Bill 1710 requires state agencies to check the immigration status of benefit recipients. It was signed by Gov. Bill Lee in May and would have taken effect on Wednesday.
The Department of Health sent a letter to physicians and patients in May, telling them they will need to prove U.S. citizenship as of July 1.
The Tennessee Justice Center filed a motion in Davidson County Chancery Court on behalf of three physicians to stop the Tennessee Department of Health from enforcing the law. The court issued a temporary restraining order and a hearing was scheduled for Thursday.
However, instead of allowing the scheduled hearing to take place, a judge extended an injunction against implementation of the law until July 10th. A new court date will be set if the plaintiffs and the state cannot reach an agreement.
“We’re encouraged that the Temporary Restraining Order will remain in effect while this case continues,” said Michele Johnson, cofounder and executive director at the Tennessee Justice Center. “Every day these protections remain in place is another day families can focus on caring for their children instead of worrying that seeking essential medical services could put them at risk. Our focus remains on protecting access to essential healthcare services for these children with serious medical needs.”
Should the new law eventually be allowed to be implemented, it also authorizes the attorney general to investigate complaints that a local agency or health department is not checking immigration status. The state could withhold funds from agencies that are not in compliance.
