Astoria, OR – Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield has joined a coalition of 13 states in a legal battle to protect health care access for young immigrants under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The states are challenging the anticipated efforts by the incoming Trump administration to eliminate a Biden-era rule that expanded health care coverage for DACA recipients.
The rule, which took effect on November 1, 2024, allowed individuals enrolled in the DACA program to access health insurance plans through the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA). DACA, created under the Obama administration in 2012, provides temporary protection from deportation to undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children and meet specific requirements, such as being in school or working.
However, the rule has faced opposition from a group of 19 states led by Kansas, who filed a federal lawsuit in North Dakota in August 2024. A judge in the case issued a ruling that blocked the rule in the 19 states but allowed it to remain in place in others, including Oregon. The Biden administration rule was expected to be under threat once President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
Oregon’s involvement in the case comes as state officials anticipate that the Trump administration will no longer defend the rule. As a result, Rayfield and the other state attorneys general filed a motion to intervene, arguing that Oregon and its partners would be harmed if the rule were eliminated. The motion asserts that states have the right to step in to protect policies when the federal government withdraws its defense.
“Oregon has long been a national leader in our work to expand access to health care,” said Rayfield in a statement. “Today’s motion is an important step to protect our advancements and safeguarding the health and wellbeing of all Oregonians.”
In addition to the federal ACA program, Oregon also operates a state-funded Medicaid program that ensures low-income immigrants have access to health care, regardless of their legal status. This state-backed initiative has long been a cornerstone of Oregon’s efforts to expand health coverage to underserved communities.
DACA recipients play a significant role in the workforce and local communities. According to a 2023 letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, more than 580,000 Dreamers benefit from the DACA program nationwide. In Oregon, the program supports over 8,400 individuals, who contribute to the state’s economy and society by attending schools, working in various sectors, and volunteering in their communities.
The legal challenge involves a coalition of states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, and Vermont. These states argue that the health care rule has been a critical step in ensuring equitable access to care for young immigrants, who often face barriers to obtaining coverage due to their status.
The case is expected to continue as both sides prepare for further legal proceedings. For now, Oregon and its partner states are focused on safeguarding health care access for Dreamers, a key priority as the nation enters a new presidential administration.
