(The Center Square) – A hearing will be held on Thursday in a case challenging a Tennessee requirement that health departments check the immigration status of benefit recipients.
House Bill 1710/Senate Bill 1915, which will cost the state $131,000 to implement according to the bill’s fiscal note, requires state agencies to check the immigration status of benefit recipients. It was signed by Gov. Bill Lee in May and would take 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 scheduled a hearing for Thursday.
“The court’s decision provides immediate reassurance to families that they can continue accessing critical medical care for their children without the imminent threat of their information being shared with immigration authorities,” said Michele Johnson, cofounder and executive director at the Tennessee Justice Center. “We look forward to presenting our case on July 2 and remain committed to protecting access to care for Tennessee’s most medically vulnerable children.”
The bill 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. The bill estimates $68,000 going toward a new employee at the Department of Safety who would handle the reports.
Sen. Ed Jackson of Jackson and Rep. Dennis Powers of Jacksboro sponsored the bill in their respective chambers. The Center Square was unsuccessful prior to publication getting comment from either.
The House of Representatives debate on the bill in April became an argument over how much money immigrants bring to the state and the law.
Nashville Democrat Justin Jones said immigrants contributed $4.4 billion in federal, state and local taxes.
“If you’re talking about illegal immigrants that they bring in that much money, then they have broken the law as soon as they crossed our border,” Powers said. “We are not an extended stay hotel for the rest of the world to come here.”