By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Republican Representatives August Pfluger of Texas and Michelle Fischbach of Minnesota have introduced a Congressional Review Act to prevent the Biden administration from extending healthcare benefits to illegal immigrants under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The proposed legislation aims to revoke President Joe Biden’s recent policy changes that expanded the definition of “lawfully present” to include DACA recipients, thus making them eligible for Obamacare, as reported by The Washington Post.
Pfluger expressed strong opposition to the policy, describing it as a disregard for the rule of law. “In yet another slap in the face to the rule of law, President Biden is now offering free healthcare to illegal migrants—a move that is not only unacceptable but illegal,” Pfluger stated. He emphasized that the policy could worsen the border crisis and misuse American taxpayers’ money.
Fischbach echoed Pfluger’s sentiments, criticizing the administration for burdening U.S. taxpayers with the healthcare costs of those who have violated immigration laws. “This Administration has been asking American taxpayers to foot the bill for illegal immigrants, and now he wants them to pay for their healthcare,” Fischbach commented. She urged the President to prioritize American citizens and address the immigration crisis more effectively.
The Biden administration’s policy, which reportedly would use $300 million in taxpayer dollars annually, did not achieve as broad an extension as initially hoped. Although it did not extend to Medicaid coverage for illegal immigrants, the administration continues to seek ways to support DACA recipients, including potential tax breaks for those who opt for health insurance, as explained by Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra.
The legislative push by Pfluger and Fischbach is part of a broader Republican effort to enforce stricter immigration laws and reduce benefits to illegal immigrants. In July, Republican Ohio Senator J.D. Vance and House Republicans demanded that HHS bar illegal immigrants from receiving free healthcare under Obamacare, highlighting ongoing legislative and ideological battles over immigration and healthcare policy.
