Fact Check: Seven states, along with the District, allow immigrants who are not living legally in the country to enroll — with full benefits — in their state’s Medicaid program.

Fact Check: "Seven states, along with the District, allow immigrants who are not living legally in the country to enroll — with full benefits — in their state’s Medicaid program."

What We Know

The claim states that seven states and the District of Columbia allow unauthorized immigrants to enroll in their Medicaid programs with full benefits. According to Newsweek, as of 2025, there are indeed 14 states that provide some form of health coverage to undocumented immigrants. This includes states like California, Illinois, and New York, which have expanded their Medicaid programs to cover undocumented individuals, particularly children and pregnant women. However, the extent of coverage varies by state. For instance, California's Medi-Cal program was expanded in 2024 to include all adults without legal status, allowing approximately 1.6 million immigrants to receive health insurance through the program (NPR).

Moreover, some states are currently considering rolling back these benefits due to budget constraints. For example, California's Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed freezing new enrollments for unauthorized individuals aged 19 and older starting in 2026, while still allowing those already enrolled to maintain their coverage (NPR). Minnesota has also faced similar discussions, where lawmakers are contemplating changes to its Medicaid program that would affect unauthorized immigrants (NPR).

Analysis

The claim is partially true because while it accurately identifies that several states, including the District of Columbia, provide Medicaid benefits to unauthorized immigrants, it does not specify the number of states accurately. The figure of seven states is outdated; as of 2025, there are 14 states offering some level of coverage to undocumented immigrants (Newsweek).

The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is high. NPR is a reputable news organization known for its in-depth reporting and fact-checking, while Newsweek is a well-established publication with a focus on current events and health policy. Both sources provide credible information regarding state policies on Medicaid and unauthorized immigrants.

However, it is important to note that the claim does not clarify that the benefits are not uniform across all states. Some states only provide limited coverage (e.g., for children or pregnant women), while others, like California, have more comprehensive policies. This nuance is critical when evaluating the overall accuracy of the claim.

Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True
The claim that "seven states, along with the District, allow immigrants who are not living legally in the country to enroll — with full benefits — in their state’s Medicaid program" is partially true. While it is correct that several states and the District of Columbia provide Medicaid benefits to unauthorized immigrants, the number of states is inaccurately represented as seven; it is actually 14. Additionally, the extent of benefits varies significantly from state to state, which is an important detail that the claim overlooks.

Sources

1. Unauthorized immigrants could lose health care in states - NPR
2. Map Shows 14 States Offering Health Coverage ... - Newsweek
3. Health Care Coverage (Maps) - National Immigration Law Center
4. Key Facts on Health Coverage of Immigrants - Kaiser Family Foundation