NILC Celebrates Announcement of Final Rule Allowing DACA Recipients to Access Affordable Care Act Coverage

May 3, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 3, 2024

CONTACT
Email: [email protected]
Emily Morris, 213-457-7458
Adrian Escárate, 202-609-9976

NILC Celebrates Announcement of Final Rule Allowing DACA Recipients to Access Affordable Care Act Coverage

WASHINGTON — Kica Matos, president of the National Immigration Law Center, issued the following statement in response to the Biden administration’s move to lift Affordable Care Act restrictions for DACA recipients:

“We are thrilled that DACA recipients will finally be able to access health care through the Affordable Care Act. We commend the Biden administration for taking this important step for health equity and immigrant justice.

“Even as we celebrate this victory, we must also remember that politically motivated attacks on DACA continue, DACA recipients remain in limbo, and the health and wellbeing of our communities has suffered as a result. We continue to urge Congress to pass a pathway to citizenship for immigrant youth who call this country home, so they can enjoy the same peace and stability that we all need to thrive.”

For more information on DACA recipients and access to health care, view our most recent data report: Tracking DACA Recipients’ Access to Health Care (PDF)

###

Related
resource

Overview of Immigrant Eligibility for Federal Programs (Table)

Updated Oct 15, 2026 This table provides an overview of immigrant eligibility for the major federal public assistance programs. Originally published in November 2015.

resource

Major Benefit Programs Available to Immigrants in California (Table)

Updated Oct 15, 2026 This table lists the programs for which certain immigrants residing in California are eligible. Originally published in May 2017.

A woman with curly black hair is giving her four-year-old child, wearing a rainbow-colored dress, her daily flush solution through her intravenous line.
commentary

What Immigrants Need to Know About the New ACA Eligibility Restrictions

Sarah Krieger

Published Oct 9, 2026 Congress has ensured that immigrant families will struggle more to afford health coverage and necessary care when open enrollment begins next month.

resource

Overview of Immigrant Eligibility for Federal Programs

Updated Oct 6, 2026 This resource focuses on eligibility and other rules governing immigrants’ access to federal public benefits programs. Originally published in November 2015.