A federal judge in North Dakota has issued a temporary injunction against a Biden administration policy that sought to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance coverage to recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The ruling halts the policy, which aimed to provide access to ACA marketplace plans for an estimated 147,000 individuals, often referred to as “Dreamers.”
U.S. District Judge Daniel Traynor sided with a coalition of 19 Republican-led states that filed a lawsuit challenging the policy. The states argued that the administration lacked the legal authority to redefine “lawfully present” under existing federal law to include DACA recipients. The ACA explicitly restricts federal health benefits to individuals with legal immigration status, and the plaintiffs contended that the policy overstepped the boundaries of executive authority.
In his decision, Judge Traynor emphasized that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which implemented the policy, cannot unilaterally expand eligibility for federal healthcare programs without congressional approval. He noted that the policy posed potential financial burdens on state resources and could serve as an incentive for illegal immigration, aligning with the arguments made by the plaintiff states.
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, who led the legal challenge, hailed the decision as a victory for the rule of law. “The Biden administration cannot simply rewrite federal statutes to fit its policy goals,” Kobach said, highlighting the broader implications of the case for executive authority and immigration policy.
The Biden administration introduced the policy earlier this year as part of an effort to address healthcare inequities faced by DACA recipients, many of whom have lived in the United States for most of their lives and contribute to the economy. Advocates for the policy argue that excluding DACA recipients from federal health programs leaves a vulnerable population without access to affordable healthcare, exacerbating disparities in coverage.
The CMS released a statement expressing disappointment in the ruling and indicated that it is reviewing the decision to determine next steps. The administration maintains that the policy was a lawful and necessary measure to expand healthcare access.
This legal setback comes amidst broader debates over the scope of the DACA program, which has faced repeated legal challenges since its inception in 2012. The program currently provides protection from deportation and work authorization for eligible individuals brought to the U.S. as children, but it does not confer legal immigration status.
The temporary injunction will remain in place while the case proceeds through the courts, setting the stage for further legal battles over the intersection of healthcare policy, immigration, and executive authority. The ruling highlights the contentious nature of policies aimed at addressing the needs of undocumented immigrants, ensuring that the issue remains a focal point in national discussions on governance and public policy.