Judge blocks use of Illinois Medicaid data for immigration enforcement

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced that a U.S. District Court in Northern California issued a preliminary injunction that blocks immigration enforcement agencies from using certain Medicaid data.

The court found the Trump administration’s approach—letting DHS/ICE receive “unfettered access” to personally identifying information from Medicaid—was likely unlawful under the Administrative Procedure Act. The judge said the actions were likely “arbitrary and capricious,” meaning the process may not have followed required legal standards.

Under the injunction, DHS/ICE cannot use the plaintiff states’ Medicaid data for immigration enforcement purposes. The order also blocks HHS from sharing that Medicaid data with DHS for immigration enforcement.

The injunction is temporary. It will remain in effect until 14 days after HHS and DHS complete a new “reasoned decision-making process” that complies with the Administrative Procedure Act, or until the litigation ends.

Raoul said the goal is to prevent sensitive Medicaid recipients’ personal information from being “weaponized” against people who rely on Medicaid for health coverage. The lawsuit described how the data transfer and related actions have created fear and confusion that may lead some noncitizens and family members to disenroll or avoid emergency Medicaid they may be eligible for.