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President Biden has announced that the United States will now provide federal health insurance to some migrants who arrived in the country as children illegally. 

According to the Biden administration, this policy shift aims to integrate an estimated 100,000 uninsured individuals under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program into the Health Insurance Marketplace and the Basic Health Program established by the Affordable Care Act.

Introduced in 2012 during the Obama administration, DACA has provided work permits and deportation relief to these individuals, known as “Dreamers.” Until this change, DACA recipients could only acquire health insurance through employers, private insurance, or state and city-funded programs. “Dreamers are our loved ones, our nurses, teachers, and small business owners. And they deserve the promise of health care just like all of us.”

The new policy, which includes financial assistance such as tax credits and reduced out-of-pocket costs, will be effective from November 1. The White House, however, did not release details regarding the potential costs of this expansion to the US government. 

The Trump campaign has criticized the new health care policy, labeling it as “unfair and unsustainable.” Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt argued that the policy forces American taxpayers to subsidize the welfare of illegal immigrants, potentially at the expense of native-born citizens and legal immigrants. 

In contrast, proponents like HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra highlight the long-term economic benefits and healthcare savings associated with providing preventive care to uninsured individuals.