Full Breakdown
New York Amish Community Takes Vaccine Mandate Fight to the Supreme Court
8/28/2026, 4:28:27 AM
Core Event: Lawsuit Over State School-Vaccination Requirements
The Amish population of roughly 25,000 in New York is challenging the state’s school-vaccination mandate in *Miller v. McDonald*. Three one-room schools—Shady Lane (Clymer), Pleasant View (Heuvelton), and Dygert Road (near Canajoharie)—have been fined for refusing to vaccinate students, and the plaintiffs are petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court to rehear the case next month after the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals again ruled against them.
Background & Context
- 2019: Gov. Andrew Cuomo eliminated religious exemptions after a measles outbreak in an Orthodox Jewish community, making New York the second state to remove such exemptions.
- 2022: The State Department of Health began issuing $2,000 fines to non-compliant schools.
- 2024: Amish families filed suit, arguing the mandate violates their religious convictions.
- 2026 (Aug. 26): Media reports note the community’s threat to leave the state if the Supreme Court declines to hear the case.
Data & Statistics
- Fines: The three schools have accrued a combined $118,000 in penalties.
- Vaccination schedule: New York law requires 24 to 27 immunizations for K-12 attendance.
- Population: New York ranks fifth nationally in Amish residency, with an estimated 25,000 individuals. Relocation would likely be to Pennsylvania, home to about 95,000 Amish.
Official Statements & Responses
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): A representative cited the Trump administration’s executive order reaffirming parental choice and religious freedom in vaccination decisions, noting HHS will continue to protect parents’ rights consistent with their beliefs.
Legal Analysis & Opposition
Law professor Christopher Lund of Wayne State University argues that a religious exemption is permissible only when a law is not neutral or generally applicable. He cautions that the Supreme Court has historically shown deference to medical authorities in vaccine-related cases, making the Amish’s prospects uncertain.
Verbatim Quotes
- “When you think of Americana—apple pie, fireworks—the Amish are on that list. They’re part of the American fabric. They’re a good litmus test of our religious liberty and our tolerance,” — Hiram Sasser, attorney
- “The claim in these cases is: you are only entitled to a religious exemption if the law isn’t neutral or generally applicable,” — Christopher Lund, law professor
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Potential relocation: Lawyers say the community might move to Pennsylvania, but no concrete plans or timelines have been provided, leaving the scale of a possible exodus uncertain.
What’s Next
The Amish legal team intends to file a new petition with the Supreme Court next month. If the Court declines to hear the case, the plaintiffs have indicated they may permanently leave New York, potentially shifting to Pennsylvania’s larger Amish community. The outcome will shape how state vaccination mandates intersect with religious liberty claims nationwide.
