Trump Administration Shares Immigrant Medicaid Data with DHS Across Multiple States

The Trump administration has shared personal Medicaid data, including immigration status, of millions of enrollees with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as part of increased immigration enforcement efforts. This data transfer involved states such as California, Washington, Illinois, and Washington, D.C., all of which offer state-funded Medicaid programs for non-citizens. Despite strong legal and ethical objections from Medicaid officials citing privacy laws, two top advisers to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ordered CMS staff to comply within a 54-minute window. Critics, including California Governor Gavin Newsom and Representative Laura Friedman, condemned the move as potentially unlawful and harmful to immigrant communities, warning it could deter people from seeking necessary medical care and put lives at risk. The administration defended the data sharing as lawful and necessary to ensure federal funds are not improperly used for individuals with unsatisfactory immigration status. States affected are investigating the scope and potential misuse of the data, with concerns raised about undermining public trust and exacerbating fears among immigrant populations.