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Judge blocks Tennessee from reporting sick children to immigration authorities, for now
By Kristin M. Hall, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· June 25, 2026
· 3 min read
A judge temporarily ordered the Tennessee Department of Health not to give immigration authorities information about roughly 400 seriously sick and disabled immigrant children who are enrolled in a healthcare assistance program.The restraining order was issued Wednesday at the request of three Na...
Key takeaway “This is an impossible choice for mothers, and it risks the lives and the dignity of these children,” said Michele Johnson, executive director of the Tennessee Justice Center, which filed the lawsuit on the doctors' behalf.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The situation in Tennessee has implications for San Antonio , where many families may have relatives or friends affected by similar policies. San Antonio's own experience with large immigrant populations and healthcare access issues means that local residents are likely watching this case closely. The fact that the Tennessee program in question, Children's Special Services, is partially funded by federal funds raises questions about how such policies might impact similar programs in Texas, including those in Bexar County. As the July 2 hearing approaches, San Antonio healthcare providers and advocacy groups may be considering how to respond if similar laws are proposed in Texas, and how to protect the medical care and dignity of vulnerable children in their own community. The connections between state-level immigration policies and local healthcare access are complex, and this case may have ripple effects in San Antonio and beyond.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A judge temporarily ordered the Tennessee Department of Health not to give immigration authorities information about roughly 400 seriously sick and disabled immigrant children who are enrolled in a healthcare assistance program.The restraining order was issued Wednesday at the request of three Na...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Kristin M. Hall, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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