Hearing scheduled Thursday on Tennessee immigration law

(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 immin...