Fifteen states have taken legal action against the Biden administration regarding a rule that would allow 100,000 immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children to enroll in the federal Affordable Care Act’s health insurance next year. The states, led by Republican attorneys general, are seeking to block this rule scheduled to take effect on November 1, the same day the marketplace enrollment opens, just before the presidential election.
The lawsuit argues that this rule violates a 1996 welfare reform law and the ACA, and could potentially encourage more immigrants to come to the U.S. illegally, putting a burden on the states and their public school systems. However, many economists believe that immigrants actually provide a net economic benefit and have contributed to job growth, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, Republicans have criticized the Biden administration’s handling of illegal immigration, even though border crossings have recently decreased.
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, a known immigration hardliner, expressed strong opposition to the rule, stating that illegal aliens should not receive taxpayer benefits or a free pass into the country. The other states involved in the lawsuit include Alabama, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Virginia.
The Biden administration has defended its support for “Dreamers,” young immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children and are now fully integrated into their communities. The administration aims to shield them from deportation and provide them with the necessary support to succeed. The “Dreamers” have been excluded from government-subsidized health insurance programs due to their immigration status, but the new rule aims to change that.
While some states struggle to prove direct harm from new rules in lawsuits against the Biden administration, all states involved in this lawsuit argue that they face increased costs due to illegal immigration. They cite a report calling for stronger laws against illegal immigration and strict limits on legal immigration as justification for their legal action.
Despite the ongoing legal battle, the issue of providing health coverage for immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children remains contentious, with states divided on the best course of action to address this complex and sensitive issue.