local
Judge blocks Tennessee from reporting sick children to immigration authorities, for now
By Kristin M. Hall, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· 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 Pearland
In Pearland , where many residents have ties to the larger Houston area's diverse immigrant communities, the Tennessee case may resonate with local families who rely on similar healthcare assistance programs. Brazoria County, where Pearland is located, has its own share of families with mixed immigration status, and the prospect of being reported to immigration authorities for seeking medical help could have a chilling effect on their willingness to access necessary care. As the court case unfolds in Tennessee, Pearland residents may be watching to see how the issue of healthcare access intersects with immigration enforcement, and how local and state authorities in Texas might respond to similar situations. The fact that the Tennessee program in question is partially funded by federal funds raises questions about the potential implications for similar programs in Texas, and how local healthcare providers might be affected by changes in immigration policy.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Pearland 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 KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 3 min
Get more The Pearland stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
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 KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Pearland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Kristin M. Hall, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter