Changes in Healthcare Programs for Undocumented Immigrants

Since about 2020, Washington, DC, along with seven states, has established healthcare programs for undocumented immigrants. However, some states have shifted their policies since the Trump administration began.

Democrat-led states like California, Illinois, and Minnesota, as reported by the Associated Press, have announced they will either reduce or discontinue Medicaid programs for undocumented individuals.

Illinois plans to cut Medicaid availability for undocumented immigrants aged 42-64, which is expected to save around $44 million.

Similarly, Minnesota intends to end its program for undocumented adults, projecting a savings of approximately $57 million.

Lisa Demus, the Speaker of Minnesota, noted that the healthcare program is not financially sustainable. “It’s not about not trying to conspire or not care about people,” she mentioned. “When I reviewed the state budget, there were not enough funds to support what was being spent.”

Demus added that undocumented adults in Minnesota still have the option to purchase health insurance.

Meanwhile, California halted new enrollments in its program for undocumented immigrants in 2026, which is anticipated to save over $3 billion over the coming years.

Health officials estimate that roughly 200,000 undocumented immigrants in California will lose their health coverage when the cuts take effect next year. However, Governor Gavin Newsom maintains that the state still provides extensive medical coverage for low-income adults.

Healthcare providers attribute a decline in regular medical visits among undocumented immigrants to increased fears relating to deportation, fueled by immigration enforcement activities. This trend seems to reflect broader policy changes amid the Trump administration’s tougher stance on immigration, which has also rolled back numerous policies put in place by the Biden administration.