The Way Forward for Immigrant Access to Public Benefit Programs
By Juan Carlos Gomez and Juliana Zhou
Immigrants need access to public benefits like Medicaid, CHIP, and SNAP. Inclusive federal policies are crucial for this access, as anti-immigrant policies and rhetoric have eroded trust in government institutions among immigrant communities. The public charge rule deters immigrants from accessing benefits, threatening their immigration status.
Despite the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to revert to long-established policies, the chilling effect persists, causing immigrants to avoid essential benefits. For example, SNAP participation among U.S. citizen children with immigrant parents dropped by 22.5 percent between 2018 and 2019. In May 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration expanded health coverage for DACA recipients and immigrant youth through the ACA Marketplace, benefiting an estimated 100,000 DACA recipients.
The Biden-Harris Administration set new deportation priorities and recommitted to protected areas policies. These actions help prevent immigrant families from being separated or harmed by immigration enforcement. States use Medicaid flexibilities to expand health coverage for immigrants, supported by the federal administration. As of November 2023, 15 states and D.C. have expanded health coverage beyond federal options.
Rebuilding trust in immigrant communities requires consistent implementation of supportive policies. The federal government must approve state waiver applications and oversee anti-immigrant state policies to ensure a strong social safety net for all. Ensuring due process and inclusive policies is essential for a more inclusive society and economy.