FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 13, 2023
CONTACT
Juan Gastelum, [email protected], 213-375-3149
NILC Statement on Expansion of Health Care Access for DACA Recipients
WASHINGTON — Kica Matos, executive vice president of programs and strategy at the National Immigration Law Center, issued the following statement in response to the Biden administration’s announcement that it will be issuing a proposed rule to lift Affordable Care Act restrictions and expand Medicaid eligibility – in states that have opted to cover lawfully present children and pregnant people without a waiting period – for recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA):
“As the pandemic made clear, the health of our communities depends on all of us having access to quality care. The Affordable Care Act and Medicaid are a lifeline to so many people, but DACA recipients have been unjustly excluded for over a decade. We commend the Biden administration for moving to rectify this years-long injustice so that more DACA recipients can access the care they need.
“NILC and our partners have called on administrations to resolve this harmful injustice since DACA first went into effect. We celebrate this victory alongside all those whose tireless advocacy made it possible.
“This move comes as many DACA recipients experience harmful mental and physical health effects from living through continuous, politically motivated attacks on the program. Even as we celebrate this victory, we will continue to advocate for Congress to pass a pathway to citizenship that provides DACA recipients and immigrant youth the peace and stability 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
###
Conozca Sus Derechos: Atención Médica y Seguro Médico
Jan 24, 2025 Este recurso proporciona información que todas las familias deben conocer cuando solicitan programas de seguro médico o buscan servicios de atención médica. Publicado originalmente en diciembre de...
Know Your Rights: Health Care and Health Insurance for Immigrants
Jan 24, 2025 This resource provides information that all immigrant families should know when deciding to get health care or apply for health insurance programs. Originally published in December...
Health Care Providers and Immigration Enforcement: Know Your Rights, Know Your Patients’ Rights
Jan 24, 2025 Information for health care providers on how to prepare for and respond to enforcement actions by immigration officials and interactions with law enforcement that could result in immigration consequences for their patients. Originally published...
Frequently Asked Questions: Latest DACA Developments
Jan 18, 2025 This resource provides an overview of the current state of the DACA program and what that means for DACA recipients and their loved ones.