Judge Allows Health Department to Share Medicaid Data with Deportation Officials

Wed Jan 07 2026 12:19:25 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a recent ruling, a federal judge permits sharing of basic information about certain Medicaid enrollees with ICE, reigniting privacy concerns amid Trump's immigration policies.

The nation's health department is now authorized to share basic biographical data of some Medicaid enrollees with deportation officials, following a recent court ruling. While this marks a return to previous practices, the ruling places limits on the type of information shared, allowing only basic details for now. This decision has raised concerns about immigrant privacy and the potential chilling effect on individuals seeking emergency medical care. Attorney Vince Chhabria has noted ongoing restrictions to prevent the sharing of sensitive information as the legal case continues.

NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge has recently ruled that the nation's health department can resume sharing the personal data of specific Medicaid enrollees with immigration officials. This ruling from U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria has raised concerns among states that have previously sued the administration for privacy violations.

The judge's order permits the sharing of basic biographical information about immigrants living illegally in the U.S., while limiting the scope of more sensitive data. This decision comes after a temporary block that had prevented the Health Department from sharing personal information, including home addresses, with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials.

The judge reaffirmed that while sensitive information must remain protected during the ongoing legal battle, basic demographic data may be shared. Advocates argue that this could discourage immigrants from seeking necessary medical care, highlighting ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and public health access.

Healthcare advocates have voiced concerns about the ramifications of such policies, reminding that federal law requires states to provide emergency Medicaid to all individuals, irrespective of their immigration status. This ongoing debate continues to unfold in light of strict immigration policies enacted within the current administration.