20 US states sue Trump administration over sharing of medical aid data with deportation officials

Health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr's advisors ordered the release of a dataset including private health info of people in California, Illinois, Washington.

Updated on: Jul 2, 2025, 07:41:46 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

California and 19 others states have sued the Donald Trump administration over alleged violation of federal privacy laws when it turned over Medicaid data on millions of enrollees to deportation officials last month.

President Donald Trump listens as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks during a tour of "Alligator Alcatraz," a new migrant detention facilit. (AP)

Health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr's advisors ordered the release of a dataset including the private health information of people in California, Illinois, Washington, and Washington to the Department of Homeland Security last month, AP news agency reported.

Those jurisdictions let noncitizens enroll in Medicaid programmes that pay for their expenses using only state taxpayer dollars.

Also Read: Trump administration sues Maryland federal judges over order blocking deportations

"The Trump Administration has upended longstanding privacy protections with its decision to illegally share sensitive, personal health data with ICE," said California Attorney General Rob Bonta in a statement announcing the lawsuit.

"In doing so, it has created a culture of fear that will lead to fewer people seeking vital emergency medical care," npr.org quoted Bonta's statement.

The data shared reportedly included names, addresses, Social Security numbers, immigration status, and medical claims—an unusual move that coincided with stepped-up immigration enforcement efforts.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, Andrew Nixon, defended the decision, saying that it was in compliance with all laws.

"HHS acted entirely within its legal authority—and in full compliance with all applicable laws—to ensure that Medicaid benefits are reserved for individuals who are lawfully entitled to receive them," AP quoted Nixon.

California sued the Donald Trump administration several times last month. On June 12, California sued Donald Trump's administration over US President's move to scrap the state's tailpipe emission rules and its drive to phase out gas-powered cars.

Also Read | Los Angeles protests: California governor Newsom to sue Trump admin over National Guard deployment

Just two days before the above, California sued Trump administration to protect itself from the threats to pull federal funding over a state law that allows transgender high school athletes to compete in female sports.

Around the same time, California also sued the Trump administration over National Guard deployment in Los Angeles amid widespread protests over immigration raids.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Stay updated with US News covering politics, crime, weather, local events, and sports highlights. Get the latest on Donald Trump and American politics along with Horoscope 2026.