Objective:

To inform about Tennessee's plan to share data of children with disabilities enrolled in the CSS program with immigration enforcement agencies.

Approach:

• Data Sharing Notification: Families of approximately 400 children received notices regarding potential data sharing with immigration authorities if they remain enrolled in the CSS program beyond June 30, 2026.
• Legal Action: A temporary restraining order was issued on June 24, 2026, to prevent the data sharing following a lawsuit by physicians.
• Legislation Overview: Tennessee law requires verification of immigration status for public benefit applicants and mandates reporting of non-lawfully present individuals to immigration enforcement.
• CSS Program Details: The CSS program provides services to children under 21 with disabilities and does not have immigrant eligibility restrictions.
• Impact on Families: Health care providers warn that data sharing could lead to families withdrawing from the program, risking care disruptions.
• National Survey Data: A KFF survey indicated increased avoidance of government programs among immigrant adults due to fears about immigration status disclosure.
• Federal Data Sharing Agreement: In July 2025, CMS and ICE established an agreement allowing access to Medicaid enrollees' personal data for immigration enforcement.

Key Findings:

• Tennessee's CSS program may be affected by new immigration-related data sharing requirements.
• A temporary restraining order currently halts the data sharing initiative.
• Legislation mandates verification of immigration status for public benefits.
• Concerns exist regarding the chilling effect on enrollment in public benefit programs among immigrant families.

Interpretation:

Limitations:

• The article does not provide specific outcomes from the temporary restraining order.
• Data on the long-term effects of the legislation on enrollment in the CSS program is not available.

Conclusion: