FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 17, 2025
CONTACT:
Adam Bitely, 202-689-9266
American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan and the Michigan League for Public Policy condemn the Trump administration’s move to share Medicaid data with ICE
LANSING, Mich. – The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan and the Michigan League for Public Policy strongly condemn a newly revealed agreement between the Trump administration’s Department of Homeland Security and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that grants Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) access to the personal data of all 79 million Medicaid enrollees, including more than 2.6 million Michiganders.
This unprecedented policy marks what appears to be the first time in Medicaid’s history that such comprehensive health data has been handed over to immigration enforcement, giving ICE access to names, birthdates, addresses, Social Security numbers, and racial and ethnic information of patients, many of whom are legally entitled to emergency medical care under federal law.
“This policy is a direct attack on public health, civil liberties, and the trust that underpins our health care system,” said Monique Stanton, president and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy. “When a parent brings their child to the ER, they shouldn’t have to weigh whether saving their child’s life will put their entire family at risk of deportation. Weaponizing Medicaid data for immigration enforcement will create a dangerous chilling effect, deterring immigrants and their families from seeking the care they need, while putting entire communities at risk.”
Federal law requires all states to provide Emergency Medicaid services, regardless of immigration status. But advocates warn that the data-sharing agreement will deter families—including those legally eligible—from seeking even emergency treatment out of fear that their enrollment could result in detention or deportation.
Michigan is home to over 157,000 residents living in mixed-status families, including more than 71,000 U.S. citizens. These families already face elevated rates of uninsurance—10.6% of immigrants in Michigan are uninsured, compared to just 5% of native-born residents. Policies that increase barriers to care will only worsen health disparities and strain emergency services.
The data-sharing arrangement also raises serious legal and ethical concerns, as it appears to violate federal medical privacy protections, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Even CMS officials expressed alarm, with internal memos revealing last-minute appeals to the White House to pause the information transfer, efforts that were ultimately ignored.
“Health experts warn that the long-term implications go beyond immigration policy,” said Stanton. “Delays in prenatal and pediatric care could lead to preventable birth complications and childhood illnesses. Avoiding preventive treatment will drive up emergency costs for hospitals and taxpayers. And the mental health toll from fear, trauma, and family separation will ripple across generations.”
“At Trump’s behest, Congress just cruelly cut nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid, a health care program that some of our nation’s most vulnerable people rely on – including low-income moms and children, people with disabilities, and seniors,” said Ramis Wadood, ACLU of Michigan staff attorney. “Now, this wicked administration intends to terrorize Medicaid enrollees by sending ICE agents to their doors to possibly drag them away from their families in the name of rounding up people believed to be in the country illegally. Sending ICE the personal data of 79 million people will put them in the crosshairs of the Trump administration’s senseless and dehumanizing mass deportation machine. The attacks on our immigrant friends and neighbors, as well as the millions on Medicaid, are an affront to all of us – our rights and our freedom – and together, we must fight back.”
“We cannot allow this betrayal of trust to stand,” Stanton added. “No one should have to choose between their health and their family’s safety. The federal government must immediately halt this reckless policy and restore the legal and ethical standards that protect every patient, regardless of where they were born.”
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American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan is a nonpartisan nonprofit leading the fight to defend and preserve the rights our Constitution and laws guarantee all people through public education, advocacy, organizing, and litigation. We work in concert with the national ACLU, headquartered in New York City, as well as a network of ACLU affiliate offices in every state across the country, including Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.
The Michigan League for Public Policy, www.mlpp.org, is a nonprofit policy institute focused on opportunity for all. Its mission is to use data to educate, advocate and fight for policy solutions that undo historic and systemic racial and economic inequities to lift up Michiganders who have been left out of prosperity. It is the only state-level organization that addresses poverty in a comprehensive way.
Jay Cutler joined the League in March 2026 as the Kids Count Senior Data Analyst, where he collects, analyzes, and prepares data for Kids Count in Michigan.
Danielle Taylor-Basemore joined the League as the Development Data and Stewardship Coordinator in June 2025. She brings with her five years of nonprofit experience with a special focus on community engagement, data visualization and strategic programming. Prior to joining the League, Danielle served as the Business District, Safety, and Digital Manager at Jefferson East, Inc.
Scott Preston is a Senior Policy Analyst with the Michigan League for Public Policy, where he leads the organization’s immigration and criminal justice reform portfolios. In the three years prior to joining the League, Scott facilitated the Southeast Michigan Refugee Collaborative and managed a small business economic development program at Global Detroit. His work included launching Michigan’s first Refugee Film Festival and building on a trusted connector model that linked marginalized communities with crucial resources. Scott’s work at the League is informed by his background in journalism and research. He spent four years covering the Syrian refugee crisis in the Middle East for publications such as The Economist, and later worked with unaccompanied refugee minors through Samaritas. Scott holds a master’s degree in international migration and public policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Kate Powers joined the League as the Chief Development Officer in February 2025. Prior to joining the League, Kate held leadership positions at many Michigan nonprofit organizations, most recently serving as the COO and Chief Development Officer of Ele’s Place. Kate has spent the bulk of her career in fundraising, with a short stint in the state Legislature as a legislative aide to members in both chambers. Kate is a graduate of Michigan State University’s James Madison College with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations and has a certificate in fundraising management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Additionally, Kate served on the East Lansing Public Schools Board of Education and is a past President of the Junior League of Lansing. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and her son and saving outfit of the day and home decor ideas on Pinterest. 
Nicholas Hess joined the League as the Fiscal Policy Analyst in September of 2024. In this role, Nicholas focuses on tax policy, government revenue, and their impact on working families and racial equity, including the effects of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). Nicholas values the role that judicious fiscal policy can play in the improvement of people’s lives and the economy, alleviating inequities along the way.
Audrey Matusz joined the League as the Visual Communications Specialist in September 2024. She supports the team with implementing social media strategies and brainstorming creative ways to talk about public policy. She brings with her nearly a decade of experience in producing digital products for evidence-based social justice initiatives. 
Jacob Kaplan 
Donald Stuckey 
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
Mikell Frey is a communications professional with a passion for using the art of storytelling to positively impact lives. She strongly believes that positive social change can be inspired by the sharing of data-driven information coupled with the unique perspectives of people from all walks of life across Michigan, especially those who have faced extraordinary barriers. 
Yona Isaacs (she/hers) is an Early Childhood Data Analyst for the Kids Count project. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan, she began her career as a research coordinator in pediatric psychiatry using data to understand the impacts of brain activity and genetics on children’s behavior and mental health symptoms. This work prompted an interest in exploring social determinants of health and the role of policy in promoting equitable opportunities for all children, families, and communities. She returned to the University of Michigan to complete her Masters in Social Work focused on Social Policy and Evaluation, during which she interned with the ACLU of Michigan’s policy and legislative team and assisted local nonprofit organizations in creating data and evaluation metrics. She currently serves as a coordinator for the Michigan Center for Youth Justice on a project aiming to increase placement options and enhance cultural competency within the juvenile justice system for LGBTQIA+ youth. Yona is eager to put her data skills to work at the League in support of data-driven policies that advocate for equitable access to healthcare, education, economic security, and opportunity for 0-5 year old children. In her free time, she enjoys tackling DIY house projects and trying new outdoor activities with her dog.
Rachel Richards rejoined the League in December 2020 as the Fiscal Policy Director working on state budget and tax policies. Prior to returning to the League, she served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Michigan Department of Treasury, the tax policy analyst and Legislative Director for the Michigan League for Public Policy, and a policy analyst and the Appropriations Coordinator for the Democratic Caucus of the Michigan House of Representatives. She brings with her over a decade of experience in policies focused on economic opportunity, including workforce issues, tax, and state budget.
Simon Marshall-Shah joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a State Policy Fellow in August 2019. His work focuses on state policy as it relates to the budget, immigration, health care and other League policy priorities. Before joining the League, he worked in Washington, D.C. at the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), providing federal policy and advocacy support to nonprofit, Medicaid health plans (Safety Net Health Plans) related to the ACA Marketplaces as well as Quality & Operations.
Renell Weathers, Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) Community Engagement Consultant. As community engagement consultant, Renell works with organizations throughout the state in connecting the impact of budget and tax policies to their communities. She is motivated by the belief that all children and adults deserve the opportunity to achieve their dreams regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or economic class.
Emily Jorgensen joined the Michigan League for Public Policy in July 2019. She deeply cares about the well-being of individuals and families and has a great love for Michigan. She is grateful that her position at the League enables her to combine these passions and work to help promote policies that will lead to better opportunities and security for all Michiganders.
Megan Farnsworth joined the League’s staff in December 2022 as Executive Assistant. Megan is driven by work that is personally fulfilling, and feels honored to help support the work of an organization that pushes for more robust programming and opportunities for the residents of our state. She’s excited and motivated to gain overarching knowledge of the policies and agendas that the League supports.
