Trump administration transfers sensitive Medicaid data of immigrants to deportation officials, sparking legal and ethical concerns.
At a Glance
- Personal data of millions of Medicaid enrollees, including immigration status, was transferred to deportation officials by the Trump administration
- Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s advisers ordered the rapid data transfer despite objections from Medicaid officials
- The data includes sensitive personal information from states like California and Illinois that allow non-US citizens to enroll in Medicaid
- Government officials state the initiative aims to ensure Medicaid benefits are reserved for eligible individuals
Administration Orders Rapid Transfer of Immigrant Data
The Trump administration has provided deportation officials with personal data of millions of Medicaid enrollees, including their immigration status. The transfer occurred despite objections from Medicaid officials who cited legal and ethical concerns about sharing such sensitive information.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s advisers directed the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to transfer the data to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with orders to complete the transfer within just 54 minutes. The data includes information from states like California, Illinois, Washington, and Washington, DC, which allow non-US citizens to enroll in their Medicaid programs.
The transferred data contains highly sensitive personal details including addresses, names, social security numbers, and medical claims information. Officials have indicated that this information could be used to locate migrants and may impact their chances of obtaining green cards, permanent residency, or citizenship in the future.
CMS officials strongly opposed the data sharing, arguing that it would violate federal laws and long-standing policies designed to protect enrollee privacy and maintain trust in public health programs.
Trump is coming for Californians' Medicaid data.
Sharing it with DHS is dangerous and legally dubious. It puts immigrant and mixed-status families at risk, and undermines privacy, public health, and trust.
We’ll fight to protect Californians’ rights.
https://t.co/7FNqvkpoyu— John Garamendi (@RepGaramendi) June 13, 2025
State Officials Express Concern Over Data Sharing
California Governor Gavin Newsom and other lawmakers have expressed serious concerns about the potential misuse of the data. The sudden transfer has created alarm among state officials who previously received assurances about the confidentiality of information provided to federal health programs. Seven states and the District of Columbia currently allow immigrants not legally in the country to enroll in Medicaid with full benefits, funded through state programs. The Trump administration has questioned these states’ pledges not to bill the federal government for these costs.
“We deeply value the privacy of all Californians. This potential data transfer brought to our attention by the AP is extremely concerning, and if true, potentially unlawful, particularly given numerous headlines highlighting potential improper federal use of personal information and federal actions to target the personal information of Americans.”, stated California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office.
Following the data transfer, some states like California and Illinois are now taking steps to limit or shut down their Medicaid programs for non-U.S. citizens. The data sharing has created a climate of uncertainty and concern among state officials who fear that the federal government might use the information in ways that contradict the intended purpose of their healthcare programs. The unusual nature of this data transfer has also raised questions about whether states will be hesitant to share information with federal officials in the future.
Administration Defends Data Sharing as Legal and Necessary
U.S. Health and Human Services spokesperson Andrew Nixon defended the data sharing, stating that it was legal and within the department’s authority. The administration maintains that the initiative aims to ensure that Medicaid benefits are reserved for individuals who are legally entitled to receive them. CMS is reviewing Medicaid enrollees to ensure federal funds are not being used for individuals with what they term “unsatisfactory immigration status,” aligning with the administration’s broader immigration enforcement policies.
“With respect to the recent data sharing between CMS and DHS, HHS acted entirely within its legal authority — and in full compliance with all applicable laws — to ensure that Medicaid benefits are reserved for individuals who are lawfully entitled to receive them”, US Health and Human Services spokesperson Andrew Nixon said.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin further explained the administration’s position, stating that they “promised to protect Medicaid for eligible beneficiaries” and that after the previous administration “flooded our country with tens of millions of illegal aliens,” CMS and DHS are exploring an initiative to ensure that illegal aliens are not receiving Medicaid benefits intended for law-abiding Americans. Critics, however, argue that this approach may discourage vulnerable populations from seeking necessary medical care and undermine the fundamental purpose of public health programs.
