Healthcare Expansion: A Win for DACA-mented and Immigrant Communities

Today, the Biden administration announced a final rule that will open up Obamacare plans for hundreds of thousands of DACA recipients and immigrant youth. The announced rule is expected to go into effect Nov. 1, which coincides with the Affordable Care Act’s open enrollment period for 2025 health insurance plans. In response, Gabriela Lopez, Legal Assistant with Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center’s Community Advocacy Program in El Paso Texas, and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico said:

“Today's announcement is a victory for hundreds of thousands of DACA recipients. They will now have access to essential healthcare, which is crucial for their mental and physical well-being. Improving the lives of our DACAmented neighbors is absolutely the right step. We also know access to healthcare should be permanent, and available to everyone regardless of immigration status. With DACA still under attack in court, this relief may be stripped away from thousands of people along with their DACA status. The Biden administration and Congress must continue to do everything in their power to ensure immigrants, whether they’re our long-time community members or newest neighbors seeking protection at our borders, have the freedom to move and thrive, not just survive, in the U.S.”