Immigration Hub Applauds President Biden’s Plan to Allow DACA-Recipients Access to Critical Health Care Programs
13 APR 2023
The Associated Press is reporting today that the Biden Administration is set to announce a policy change that will enable young immigrants with DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) to access health programs that have been unnecessarily restricted since DACA came into existence in 2012.
Washington, DC – The Associated Press is reporting today that the Biden Administration is set to announce a policy change that will enable young immigrants with DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) to access health programs that have been unnecessarily restricted since DACA came into existence in 2012.
The following is a statement by Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub:
Today is a critical step forward for the over 600,000 young people who currently work and live in our nation thanks to DACA. We applaud the Biden-Harris Administration for taking action to improve the lives of young people who are American in all but paperwork.
With this change of regulation by the administration, DACA recipients will be able to obtain health insurance under Medicaid or CHIP in their state; purchase health insurance in the ACA’s health insurance marketplace; and obtain federal tax credits to make private health insurance affordable.
This is the right thing to do and the smart thing to do. DACA recipients make invaluable contributions as health care workers, first responders, teachers, construction workers, food production workers and more. Many were deemed essential workers during the height of the pandemic. They pay taxes, help grow the economy and are indispensable workers at a time of low unemployment and labor shortages. Including them in our nation’s health care programs is a wise investment.
With Republicans seemingly unwilling to forge bipartisan compromise to fix our broken immigration system, we encourage the President to take additional steps to improve our policies.
Poll after poll shows the vast majority of the American people stand with Dreamers and hardworking immigrants across our country who have been left in the shadows for nearly four decades. Today’s announcement shows that positive change impacting the lives of thousands is still possible, and is in line with what our country wants and needs. We look forward to more good days to come.
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The Immigration Hub is a national organization dedicated to advancing fair and just immigration policies through strategic leadership, innovative communications strategies, legislative advocacy and collaborative partnerships.
