A wave of Democratic attorneys general recently made a bold move, stepping forward to defend a crucial federal policy that ensures subsidized health coverage for “Dreamers” – young individuals who were brought into the United States illegally as children. This significant legal maneuver comes in anticipation of an impending shift in power with President-elect Donald Trump set to assume office shortly.
The request presented in U.S. District Court in Bismarck, North Dakota marks the beginning of what is expected to be a series of legal battles over policies transitioning between administrations. Leading this charge is New Jersey’s Attorney General, Matthew Platkin, who has rallied 14 fellow Democratic prosecutors in the fight for healthcare rights for Dreamers.
“Undermining Dreamers’ access to healthcare not only hurts them and their American children, but it harms states like New Jersey too,”
asserted Platkin passionately in a recent statement. The commitment to uphold these fundamental rights remains unwavering:
“We will never back down from fighting for our Dreamers, no matter who is in charge in Washington.”
It’s not uncommon for states to challenge federal policies—especially during transitions between opposing political parties. As such, Democratic attorneys general are gearing up to stand firm on critical issues affecting their constituents. With the imminent change in administration, more requests akin to Wednesday’s plea are likely on the horizon; permitting states to advocate for actions initiated by the Biden administration.
Should the court grant permission for Democratic attorneys general intervention, it would pave the way for a legal showdown between states leaning red and blue. Presently, a coalition of 19 Republican attorneys general spearheaded by Kansas’s Kris Kobach have already filed suit against a federal regulation enabling an estimated 147,000 immigrants eligibility for Affordable Care Act marketplace coverage.
Their argument hinges on contentions that both the ACA and a law dating back to 1996 prohibit government benefits from extending to immigrants residing unlawfully within U.S. borders. A recent ruling by a federal judge based out of North Dakota stipulated that while litigation progresses, immigrants covered under participating states cannot access this healthcare provision—a significant setback momentarily alleviated through rulings favoring applicants elsewhere.
The “Dreamers” represent an integral segment shielded under a program granting them low deportation priority status. Throughout his initial presidential term, Trump oscillated on his stance regarding this program; initially moving towards its termination before encountering resistance at the Supreme Court level.
Recent rhetoric from Trump alludes to forthcoming stringent immigration enforcement measures upon reclaiming office alongside promises aimed at providing avenues allowing Dreamers continued residence within U.S territory.
In parallel developments preceding Biden’s official assumption of office last week came extensions granted under Temporary Protected Status benefiting individuals hailing from Venezuela, El Salvador Ukraine and Sudan—affording them lawful residency within America’s borders extendable up till another eighteen months.
