On Monday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer tweeted his support for President Biden’s decision to provide health coverage for Dreamers, stating that “Dreamers deserve access to health coverage in the only country they call home. I applaud President Biden for this highly impactful policy change that will improve the lives of so many!”
This move by the Biden administration represents a significant shift from former President Trump’s policies towards Dreamers. In 2017, Trump moved to end DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), which provided protection from deportation and work permits for undocumented immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as children. The Supreme Court ultimately blocked Trump’s attempt to end DACA in June 2020, but his administration continued efforts to limit its reach.
The new policy announced by Biden allows some 300,000 undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children – also known as Dreamers – access to healthcare through Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This move is expected to have a positive impact on their lives, allowing them greater access to preventative care and treatment for illnesses.
According to recent data from Kaiser Family Foundation, roughly one-third of non-citizen immigrants are uninsured compared with just over five percent of citizens – this disparity can be attributed in part due fear among these populations about seeking healthcare services because they are afraid it may negatively affect their immigration status.
In addition, many Dreamers work low-wage jobs without employer-sponsored insurance benefits or inadequate coverage options under ACA marketplaces due to their limited income levels. By providing these individuals with greater access to healthcare coverage options like Medicaid and ACA plans through an executive order signed earlier this month by President Joe Biden’s Health and Human Services Department Secretary Xavier Becerra is seen as critical step forward in addressing these disparities.
Critics of the move argue that it rewards those who entered into the country illegally at a young age while ignoring other important issues such as border security and illegal immigration; however supporters of the policy say that it is a step towards a more compassionate and inclusive society, providing Dreamers with access to basic healthcare services.
The issue of immigration has been a contentious topic in U.S. politics for decades. The Dream Act, which would have provided legal status for those who arrived in the United States as children, was first introduced by Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) in 2001 but has yet to pass.
Despite this lack of progress on comprehensive immigration reform, there have been some gains made over the years through executive action such as DACA and now Biden’s latest move related to health insurance coverage for these individuals.
In conclusion, Schumer’s tweet expressing his support for President Biden’s decision to provide health coverage for Dreamers highlights an important shift in policies towards undocumented immigrants who came to America as children. It represents a significant departure from former President Trump’s approach towards DACA recipients and provides greater access to healthcare services which can improve their quality of life. While there are critics of this new policy change, supporters see it as an important step forward towards a more compassionate and inclusive society that recognizes the contributions made by immigrant communities across America.