A Democrat-aligned federal judge has just thrown a wrench into President Donald Trump’s mass deportation plan, blocking his administration from using Medicaid enrollee data to help immigration authorities locate and remove illegal aliens.
The stunning ruling, handed down Tuesday by Barack Obama-appointed District Judge Vince Chhabria, issues a preliminary injunction against the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The move blocks HHS from sharing addresses, Social Security numbers, and other personal details of Medicaid recipients with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in 20 states that had sued to stop the policy.
The order is a major win for Democrat attorneys general and immigration activists.
However, it’s a major blow to the Trump administration’s aggressive effort to track down and deport illegal aliens using every available tool.
Chhabria claimed that using the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) database for immigration enforcement could “significantly disrupt” Medicaid.
The activist judge also accused the administration of failing to go through the proper bureaucratic process before changing policy.
In June, without fanfare, HHS began providing ICE with the personal data of millions of Medicaid recipients under a new agreement with CMS.
By July, that deal had expanded, granting DHS daily access to the records of all 79 million Medicaid enrollees nationwide.
Neither agreement was announced to the public.
The data included full home addresses, Social Security numbers, and other identifying information, critical for ICE agents attempting to locate illegal aliens with outstanding deportation orders.
While non-citizens aren’t eligible for standard Medicaid benefits, federal law forces states to provide “emergency Medicaid” for life-saving ER care to anyone, regardless of immigration status.
That legal carveout means illegal aliens routinely appear in Medicaid records, making them an invaluable resource for law enforcement.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta cheered the ruling, blasting Trump’s plan as part of an “inhumane anti-immigrant crusade.”
Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown claimed the policy could “scare” people away from seeking emergency medical treatment.
However, following the judge’s ruling, illegal aliens can now get taxpayer-funded ER care without worrying that the federal government will find them.
The Medicaid ruling follows a similar fight earlier this year when a judge refused to block the IRS from sharing tax data with ICE, a separate Trump initiative to track down illegal aliens using financial records.
But this time, the judge sided with the Left, handing a legal victory to the same Democrat state attorneys general who have fought Trump’s border wall, travel bans, and deportation operations from day one.
For immigration hawks, this is yet another example of unelected judges and entrenched bureaucrats shielding illegal aliens while undermining lawful presidential authority.
Trump has made clear he intends to use every database, agency, and legal mechanism available to identify and remove those who are in the country illegally, especially violent offenders and repeat criminal aliens.
But with this ruling, a key source of actionable data is now off the table.
The injunction will remain in place until the court battle is over, or until HHS can somehow “justify” why ICE should be allowed to use Medicaid records to catch people who are in the country illegally.
In the meantime, millions of taxpayer dollars will continue flowing to emergency medical care for those here unlawfully, while immigration enforcement is forced to fight blind.
READ MORE – Illegal Alien Arrested During Record-Breaking $12 Million Meth Bust in South Dakota
Our comment section is restricted to members of the Slay News community only.
To join, create a free account HERE.
If you are already a member, log in HERE.