In California, thousands of immigrants without legal status are facing an impossible choice: seek health coverage through Medi-Cal or risk exposure to deportation. A new state budget, signed in June, will freeze new Medi-Cal enrollment for undocumented adults starting January 2026. The move, aimed at closing a $12 billion deficit, has left many low-income residents scrambling—and afraid.
Maria, a 55-year-old caregiver in Orange County, works long hours helping elderly clients but can’t afford dental care for her painful, decaying teeth. She recently rushed to apply for Medi-Cal after learning about the upcoming freeze. But when news broke that federal officials had accessed Medicaid enrollee data—including immigration status—her hope turned to fear. “Disappointed and scared,” she said.
About 1.6 million undocumented people are currently enrolled in Medi-Cal. California had been expanding access since 2016, but now, advocates warn that trust in the system is eroding. Community health workers, or promotores, are being told to inform applicants of the risks. “They take it very personally,” said Seciah Aquino of the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California.
The rollback includes new monthly premiums and the elimination of dental benefits. Providers warn this will push patients into emergency rooms with preventable conditions. Meanwhile, some lawmakers argue the state can’t afford to cover undocumented residents.
For many like Maria, the fear of being discovered may outweigh the need for care—leaving them in pain, in silence, and increasingly invisible.
See “California Immigrants Weigh Health Coverage Against Deportation Risk” (July 7, 2025)
