Trump Administration Grants ICE Access to Medicaid Recipients’ Personal Data

WASHINGTON – The Trump administration has authorized an agreement between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), granting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) access to personal information of approximately 79 million Medicaid enrollees. Beginning July 15 and running through September 9, 2025, ICE will have limited weekday access (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) to CMS’s Transformed Medicaid Statistical Information System (T‑MSIS) — a database containing data such as names, home addresses, birthdates, races, ethnicities, and Social Security numbers .

According to the agreement obtained by AP and Reuters, ICE may use this information to locate and deport individuals unlawfully in the U.S., though officials frame the move as part of efforts to prevent Medicaid fraud and ensure program integrity.

Key Details:

• Data Access Period: Weekdays, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., until September 9, 2025.

• Data Elements Shared: Names, addresses, birthdates, race/ethnicity, and Social Security numbers.

• Coverage Scope: Applies to the database of approximately 79 million Medicaid enrollees nationally.

This unprecedented data-sharing arrangement has prompted strong concern from civil rights and privacy advocates who argue it may breach HIPAA and federal privacy laws, undermining public trust in healthcare systems and deterring vulnerable communities from seeking care.

Lawmakers, including Democratic Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), labeled the move a “massive violation of our privacy laws” and warned it would “harm families … and cause more citizens to forego lifesaving access to health care”. Twenty states—including California—have initiated legal action against the federal government, alleging violations of HIPAA and federal health privacy law.

Administration Response:

• DHS and CMS maintain that the data-sharing is entirely within legal authority, aimed at identifying and removing individuals improperly enrolled in Medicaid and preventing misuse of taxpayer funds.

• HHS spokesperson stated the sharing was “within its legal authority – and in full compliance with all applicable laws”.

Background Context:

• Medicaid generally excludes undocumented immigrants from eligibility, but several states (e.g., CA, NY, WA, IL, DC) provide limited coverage financed by state-only funds.

• This policy aligns with President Trump’s broader strategy to deter undocumented immigration and cut Medicaid spending, including proposals under the “One Big Beautiful Bill” that would introduce work requirements and eligibility verifications