Trump Administration Gives ICE Access to 79 Million Medicaid Records

The Trump administration has authorized Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to access personal data of approximately 79 million Medicaid enrollees through an agreement between the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Department of Homeland Security. This unprecedented data-sharing arrangement grants ICE access to sensitive information, including home addresses, ethnicities, and other personal details, to help locate and deport undocumented immigrants, aligning with the administration's goal of increasing deportations to 3,000 people daily. The agreement, effective for 60 days starting mid-July 2025, has sparked legal challenges and concerns over privacy and the potential chilling effect on immigrants seeking medical care. While undocumented immigrants are largely ineligible for federally funded Medicaid, the administration justifies the move as a measure to prevent fraud and improper enrollment. Some CMS officials and lawmakers have questioned the legality and ethics of this data disclosure, and it remains unclear how extensively ICE has utilized the information so far. The Department of Homeland Security and CMS have stated their intent to prevent illegal aliens from receiving Medicaid benefits intended for citizens and legal residents.