The Biden administration announced a new rule that will allow tens of thousands of illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. as minors and were protected under the DACA program to obtain health care through Obamacare. Currently, DACA recipients and other illegal immigrants are prohibited from accessing health care through the Affordable Care Act. The rule is expected to go into effect just days before the 2024 presidential election and is predicted to result in over 100,000 uninsured illegal immigrants gaining access to health insurance. The Department of Health and Human Services will allow DACA recipients to apply for coverage through HealthCare.gov and state-based marketplaces starting on November 1.
President Biden and Vice President Harris have expressed their support for DACA recipients, also known as “Dreamers,” and emphasized the need for a pathway to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants. Biden reiterated his commitment to providing Dreamers with the support they need to succeed and called on Congress to take action to provide them with permanent status and citizenship. This push for health care and citizenship for illegal immigrants has faced opposition from Republicans. Obama encountered similar opposition when he introduced Obamacare, with accusations that the legislation would provide health care to illegal immigrants.
The Trump administration attempted to end the DACA program but was blocked by the Supreme Court in 2020. A lawsuit filed in 2021 has led to blocked further enrollments in the program, as a federal appeals court ruled that the Obama administration did not have the authority to institute it. Democrats and the Biden administration have made efforts to grant broader amnesties for illegal immigrants already in the country, but have faced opposition from Republicans. Republicans have rejected granting a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants, especially in the midst of the ongoing crisis at the southern border.
The Biden administration has acknowledged the need for additional funding and reforms to address the broken immigration system that has contributed to the border crisis. They have emphasized the importance of restoring Trump-era policies to end the crisis, while Republicans have continued to oppose granting amnesty or citizenship to illegal immigrants. The ongoing immigration debate highlights the political tensions surrounding DACA, health care access for illegal immigrants, and the broader issues surrounding immigration policy in the United States. Both political parties have contrasting views on how to address these complex issues.
