The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program has provided many young immigrants, known as “Dreamers,” with protection from deportation and work authorization. However, their access to healthcare coverage under the Affordable Care Act has been a subject of evolving policies and legal challenges.
Initially, DACA recipients were excluded from accessing ACA benefits. The ACA defines “lawfully present” individuals eligible for marketplace coverage, but a 2012 rule explicitly excluded DACA recipients from this definition, barring them from purchasing insurance through the ACA marketplace or receiving related subsidies.
Expansion of access
In May 2024, a new rule was finalized that allowed DACA recipients to access ACA healthcare exchanges. This change enabled approximately 100,000 uninsured DACA recipients to enroll in affordable health insurance plans and access subsidies to make coverage more attainable.
However, this expansion faced opposition. In August 2024, a coalition of 19 states filed a lawsuit against the federal government, arguing that extending ACA benefits to DACA recipients violated federal law. In December 2024, a federal judge in North Dakota issued a preliminary injunction blocking the rule’s implementation in those 19 states, affecting over 162,000 Dreamers.
Current status
As of March 2025, DACA recipients’ access to ACA benefits varies by state. In the 19 states involved in the lawsuit, the injunction prevents DACA recipients from enrolling in ACA plans. In other states, DACA recipients remain eligible for ACA coverage.
The legal status of DACA recipients’ access to ACA healthcare remains uncertain as court challenges continue. Future rulings or policy changes could either expand or further restrict their eligibility. As legal battles unfold, many DACA recipients face ongoing uncertainty about their healthcare options.
