Tennessee forces migrant parents with severely ill kids to make a choice: Drop out of healthcare program or risk deportation

Undocumented families in Tennessee with children who have disabilities or severe illness may be forced to choose between state-provided medical care or risking deportation - (Getty Images)

Undocumented families in Tennessee who rely on a state program to provide lifesaving healthcare for their severely ill or disabled child could be forced to disenroll from the program or risk their immigration status being reported to an immigration enforcement agency.

For years, low-income families in Tennessee have turned to the Children’s Special Services program for diagnostic tools, prescriptions, wheelchairs, hospitalizations, surgeries, therapies and more to support children with illnesses or physical disabilities. The program has served families regardless of immigration status.