News: DACA Recipients Eligible for Healthcare Coverage through ACA Marketplace
The White House has announced that Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients will soon be able to apply for healthcare through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace starting this November. This move marks a significant step towards providing healthcare coverage for undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children.
Antonio Arellano of NextGen America, a progressive nonprofit youth advocacy organization, emphasized the importance of this opportunity for DACA recipients. He highlighted the impact of having access to affordable and quality healthcare, stating that it will not only benefit the individuals but also contribute to their communities and build a brighter future for themselves and future generations.
Texas, with one of the largest groups of DACA recipients in the nation, stands to benefit greatly from this new healthcare rule. The Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative estimated that the city had nearly 33,000 DACA recipients as of 2020. Enrollment for the ACA marketplace begins in November, with DACA recipients potentially receiving healthcare coverage as soon as December this year.
However, this development comes amidst legal challenges to the DACA program. A federal court ruled last year that the revised DACA program was illegal, and the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to have the final say on the matter. Arellano emphasized the need for comprehensive immigration reform that includes a pathway to citizenship for ‘Dreamers’ and their families.
As the debate continues, DACA recipients and advocates are hopeful that this new opportunity for healthcare coverage is just the beginning of a larger effort to provide permanent protection and stability for ‘Dreamers’ and their families.