Nine Republican-Led States Challenge Biden Administration’s Expansion of DACA Program to Provide Health Care Benefits to Dreamers

Nine Republican-controlled states have asked a federal judge to shut down the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The Biden administration recently announced a regulation that would make nearly 600,000 immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as children but lack legal immigration status eligible for government-subsidized health insurance programs.

The proposed Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) rule would allow those enrolled in the DACA program, also known as “Dreamers,” to obtain coverage under Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, if they meet other eligibility rules. DACA was established in 2012 to protect unauthorized immigrants brought to the U.S. as minors from deportation, and allows beneficiaries to live and work in the country legally on two-year renewable work permits.

The nine Republican-led states, led by Texas, argue that the Biden administration’s rule is an illegal expansion of the DACA program, and that the federal government does not have the authority to grant health care benefits to DACA recipients. The states are asking the court to block the rule from taking effect.

The Biden administration has argued that the rule is within its authority and is necessary to ensure that DACA recipients have access to health care. The administration has also argued that the rule is in line with the president’s commitment to protecting the rights of immigrants.

The case is expected to be heard in the coming weeks. The outcome of the case could have a major impact on the future of the DACA program and the health care of hundreds of thousands of immigrants.