Trump Administration Transfers Immigrant Medicaid Data to DHS
In a controversial move this week, the Trump administration handed over personal information on millions of Medicaid enrollees—including sensitive immigration status details—to deportation agencies. The data sharing aims to facilitate immigration enforcement amid an intensifying crackdown, particularly targeting Southern California.
Legal and Ethical Concerns Raised Within Medicaid Officials
Internal memos and emails reveal that officials at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) attempted to block the data transfer, citing legal and ethical issues tied to privacy laws such as the Social Security Act and the Privacy Act of 1974. Despite these concerns, two senior advisers to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. directed CMS to release the dataset to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). CMS was given less than an hour to comply.
Scope of the Data and States Involved
The dataset includes comprehensive personal information—names, addresses, social security numbers, and health claims—of Medicaid enrollees from states like California, Illinois, Washington, and the District of Columbia. These states allow non-U.S. citizens to access state-funded Medicaid programs irrespective of immigration status. This data sharing coincides with increased federal enforcement activity, including immigration raids backed by National Guard troops in Los Angeles.
State Officials Express Alarm
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office expressed deep concern over the potential misuse of residents' data, warning that the transfer could be unlawful and jeopardize the privacy of vulnerable immigrant communities. The office highlighted worries about how federal authorities might exploit the information amid ongoing immigration sweeps.
Federal Response and Justification
A Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson defended the data sharing as legal and necessary to ensure Medicaid benefits go solely to those lawfully entitled to them. The spokesperson declined further comment on DHS's intended use of the information. DHS did not respond to interview requests.
Experts suggest that beyond locating migrants for deportation, the data could be used to undermine immigrants’ efforts to obtain green cards, permanent residency, or citizenship if they have utilized federally funded Medicaid benefits.
Targeted Review of Immigrant Medicaid Enrollees Under Executive Directive
Late in the previous month, CMS announced a review of Medicaid enrollees in several states to verify immigration status and prevent federal funds from covering those deemed ineligible. This initiative stems from an executive order titled “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders”, issued in February. The review led to states like California, Washington, and Illinois submitting detailed enrollee information to CMS.
However, CMS employees cautioned against sharing this personal data with DHS, arguing that such actions violate longstanding policies designed to protect Medicaid applicants’ privacy and limit data sharing strictly to program administration.
Internal Disputes and Compliance
Legal objections raised by CMS staff failed to sway Trump-appointed leadership within HHS. Just days after internal warnings, officials mandated the data transfer by June 10, sparking concern among former government personnel who noted DHS’s lack of any formal role in Medicaid oversight.
Political Fallout and State-Level Pushback
Federal Medicaid rules require emergency health services for all non-U.S. citizens lawfully present, some of whom remain ineligible for full benefits due to federal waiting periods. Nevertheless, seven states and the District of Columbia have extended full Medicaid coverage to undocumented immigrants, funding these programs with state resources rather than federal aid.
The Trump administration has questioned the legality of such state-funded programs, accusing them of enabling exploitation of Medicaid and burdening taxpayers. In response, California paused enrollment in its immigrant Medicaid program, and Illinois announced plans to discontinue theirs for about 30,000 non-citizens come July.
Other states including New York, Oregon, Minnesota, and Colorado have yet to provide identifiable Medicaid enrollee data as part of the federal review.
Uncertain Future for Immigrant Medicaid Privacy
The incident highlights the tension between immigration enforcement priorities and protecting the privacy rights of immigrant communities relying on vital health services. State officials warn that sharing such sensitive data risks chilling collaboration and jeopardizing public health initiatives.
California’s leadership voices particular unease, emphasizing the potentially far-reaching consequences for vulnerable populations and the trust placed in public health programs.
