During the election season, immigration has become a significant campaign issue, with President Biden’s move to provide health insurance for Dreamers standing in stark contrast to former President Trump’s efforts to end the DACA program. Neera Tanden, director of the Domestic Policy Council, emphasized that the final rule reflects President Biden’s commitment to protecting Dreamers and ensuring they have the necessary support to succeed.
The new rule allows active recipients of DACA, known as “Dreamers,” to enroll in a qualified health plan or a basic health plan under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and receive some forms of financial assistance. This decision follows speculation about potential executive actions by the Biden administration on immigration issues, ranging from asylum policies to work permits for certain immigrants living in the country illegally. While various immigration-related actions have sparked controversy, Dreamers, undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as minors, generally enjoy broader public support.
While the new rule does not make DACA recipients eligible for Medicaid or certain parts of the Children’s Health Insurance Program, they will qualify for existing financial aid programs that are available to noncitizens who are ineligible for Medicaid due to their immigration status. Biden stressed that Dreamers are integral members of society and deserve access to healthcare just like everyone else. He believes that healthcare is a right, not a privilege, and that it should be accessible to DACA recipients just like other Americans.
