Trump administration gives personal data on Medicaid participants to DHS: Report

Trump administration officials this week reportedly gave the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) information on millions of Medicaid recipients, including the immigration status of some of the enrollees, per the Associated Press.

The outlet on Friday claimed two advisors to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ordered Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services officials on Tuesday to turn over the information. 

The information was about recipients who lived in California, Illinois, Washington state and Washington, D.C., which allow non-U.S. citizens to participate in the program by using state funds to pay for medical expenses instead of federal.

California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom's office said it was concerned with how immigration officials would use the information, which could be used to track down illegal migrants.

“We deeply value the privacy of all Californians,” the office said. “This potential data transfer brought to our attention by the AP is extremely concerning, and if true, potentially unlawful, particularly given numerous headlines highlighting potential improper federal use of personal information and federal actions to target the personal information of Americans.”

The Trump administration has argued that the move was legal, but has not commented on how the information will be used. But it comes as the administration cracks down on illegal immigration, including through raids in Los Angeles.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.