Immigrant families with legal status are expressing concerns that Medicaid data sharing with immigration authorities could put them at risk of detention or deportation, despite assurances that personal information would not be used for immigration enforcement. The story highlights the anxieties of families relying on Medicaid for critical healthcare services for their children with disabilities.
Dr. Acklema Mohammad checks a patient at El Nuevo San Juan Health Center in the Bronx in New York City in 2024. Community health clinics, like this one, are often located in immigrant communities and rely on Medicaid .
For decades, people applying for Medicaid were told their personal information — including their names, addresses and immigration status — would not be used for immigration enforcement.P. and her family have legal immigration status, but she fears that the health insurance keeping her medically fragile daughter alive could also put her family at risk of being detained or deported by immigration authorities. The promise was meant to assure eligible immigrants"to feel comfortable that they can access their care without fear of putting their immigration status into jeopardy," saysP.'s 11-year-old daughter has Rett Syndrome, a rare neurological condition that makes it hard for her to eat, breathe, walk and talk. "She receives in-home support," P. says, along with frequent visits to cardiologists, pulmonologists and other specialists."She also receives , , speech, aquatic therapy on a weekly basis." All this care would cost tens of thousands of dollars without Medicaid — the joint state and federal health insurance program for more than P. says she and her husband are allowed to work in the U.S. legally and have private health insurance through their jobs. They have two children who qualify for Medicaid coverage because of disabilities. "It brings us an amount of anxiety every day," P. says. She's had friends detained by immigration authorities and she worries about her family's safety. This is the case even though everyone in P.'s family has legal status, including two of their children who are citizens.to stop federal health agencies from sharing Medicaid data with the Department of Homeland Security, including Arizona, Michigan and New Jersey. At the moment, following the Decemberin San Francisco, Medicaid can share names, addresses and other identifying information for people who are in the country unlawfully with immigration officials. In the remaining 28 states including Texas, Kentucky and Utah, there are no limits on what Medicaid data can be shared with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other entities.An employee in Rayito de Sol Spanish Immersion preschool in Chicago was taken into federal custody on Nov. 5, 2025. Immigration enforcement at schoolsOne former state Medicaid director told NPR they received what they described as a highly unusual request from the federal government in summer 2025 — a list of mostly Latino-looking last names, with instructions to check only immigration status. The director, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss federal communications, said that's not how these reviews typically work. Usually, states are asked to review all criteria — income, disability and immigration status — to determine eligibility for the program, not single out one factor. The director says they were floored. After reviewing the cases, they found everyone on the list remained eligible to continue with Medicaid.to review immigration status of Medicaid enrollees. The agency said in a press release it would start sending monthly enrollment reports with names of people it needed states to verify. The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to NPR's questions about whether the data has been used for immigration enforcement. In, ICE says that it is rescinding a 2013 policy that said CMS and HHS data would not be used for immigration enforcement. The Associated PressPattie Lopez manages the clinic's health insurance department. She says one patient became so worried about the policy change that she dropped her coverage — only to return after struggling without it. "She found it incredibly hard to go without health coverage," Lopez says."Now she's here taking a risk because she needs her medication."rely on Medicaid. If people drop coverage but still need care, the clinic could face financial strain. It has already frozen hiring and is looking for other ways to cut costs.in Massachusetts, said that for people already enrolled in Medicaid or other programs, the federal government likely has their information already. "So remaining on coverage may be no additional risk," he said."But there are instances where it may not be safe for everybody."ICE agents detain a person on January 13, 2026 in Minneapolis. Arrests, detainments and deportations in Minnesota, Illinois and other states have engendered fear in immigrant communities, including among people with legal status. Some immigrants may be weighing whether to sign up or continue coverage. For P., though, walking away from Medicaid isn't possible. "We don't have any other option," she says about dropping coverage for her severely disabled daughter."We will have to risk that."KPBS keeps you informed with local stories you need to know about — with no paywall. Our news is free for everyone because people like you help fund it.Find news, information and resources to help you make decisions about the children under your care and support you in this adventure we call"parenting."
Medicaid Immigration Data Privacy Healthcare Immigrant Families
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Immigrant worker notice bill heads to governor’s desk for signatureThe bill is known as the “Immigrant Workers Protection Act,” will require employers to provide timely written notice to employees when they learn there will be
Read more »
Illegal immigrant accused of assaulting NJ teen could be released under sanctuary policies, ICE warnsFox News Channel offers its audiences in-depth news reporting, along with opinion and analysis encompassing the principles of free people, free markets and diversity of thought, as an alternative to the left-of-center offerings of the news marketplace.
Read more »
DHS to Replace Contractor at Troubled Immigrant Detention Center After Deaths and OutbreaksThe Department of Homeland Security is hiring Amentum Services Inc. to manage the Camp East Montana immigrant detention center, the nation's largest, following multiple deaths, tuberculosis, and measles outbreaks. The move replaces Acquisition Logistics, which was managing the facility under a $1.2 billion contract, due to issues at the facility, which was built to support the Trump administration's mass deportation strategy.
Read more »
Opinion: Immigrant detention centers cashing in on Trump’s crackdownA new rule bars volunteers from immigrant detention hearings.
Read more »
Medicaid Update: Big Change Proposed by GovernorUnder the proposal, companies with 50 or more employees enrolled in Medicaid could be charged up to $725 per worker each year.
Read more »
Fetterman praises former Senate opponent Dr Oz for rooting out Medicaid fraudFox News Channel offers its audiences in-depth news reporting, along with opinion and analysis encompassing the principles of free people, free markets and diversity of thought, as an alternative to the left-of-center offerings of the news marketplace.
Read more »