# Fear keeps immigrants from Medicaid

> Undocumented Californians lose health coverage after fear of ICE enforcement.
- Title: Fear keeps immigrants from Medicaid · Mother Jones | Shortify
- Summary: Undocumented Californians lose health coverage after fear of ICE enforcement. California’s Medicaid cuts and immigration fears have left 244,000 immigrants…
- Keywords: california, medicaid, undocumented, ice, disenrollment, healthcare, fear, medicare, keeps, immigrants, Mother Jones
- Source: Mother Jones — https://motherjones.com/politics/2026/10/california-medicaid-immigration-cuts-disenrollment-obbb-health-insurance-fear
- Author: Mariana Duran
- Published: 2026-10-07T07:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: california, medicaid, undocumented, ice, disenrollment, healthcare, fear, medicare
## Laura’s story
Laura, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, relied on Medi-Cal for diabetes care but lost coverage after fear of ICE enforcement.

> For me it was more about fear.
## Medi-Cal cuts begin
California started denying full Medi-Cal benefits to undocumented adults on January 1, 2026, amid budget deficits and federal Medicaid cuts.
## Disenrollment surge
From May 2025 to March 2026, 244,000 immigrants disenrolled from California-funded expansion programs.
## Fear drives decisions
Immigrants avoid renewing coverage due to fear of ICE data sharing, immigration enforcement, and public charge rules.

> fear and lack of information
## Health impacts
Immigrants skip appointments and medications, risking diabetes and cancer treatments.

> I would tell my doctor that I didn’t know why my glucose levels were rising.
## Children affected
Children of undocumented parents face separation risks and mental health challenges due to immigration fears.

> A whole generation of children and immigrant families are falling behind in school because of all this.
## Public charge rule
The public charge rule, implemented in September 2025, penalizes green card applicants using Medicaid and SNAP.
## Healthcare access drops
Immigrant families skip appointments, leading to missed vaccines and specialty care.

> Kids are missing their vaccines.
## Long-term risks
Undocumented parents face financial instability and family separation risks as healthcare access declines.

> It’s a very uncertain future.
## Systemic impact
California’s Medicaid cuts and immigration policies have created a chilling effect on healthcare access for immigrants.

> the chilling effect
## Future concerns
More restrictions on Medi-Cal and the public charge rule could worsen disenrollments in 2026.
## Family struggles
Laura’s children, US citizens, fear moving countries and leaving their lives behind due to immigration risks.

> He would tell me to not go to his school, to not wait for him.
## Healthcare gaps
Immigrant families skip healthcare due to fear of detention, leading to untreated conditions.

> They’re worried about being detained if they go.
## Systemic fear
Immigrants avoid healthcare because of fear of ICE enforcement, data sharing, and public charge rules.

> fear of ICE enforcement
## Healthcare consequences
Undocumented parents face financial instability and health risks as healthcare access declines.

> It’s hard not to live stressed, thinking about what might happen tomorrow.
## What happens next
California’s Medicaid cuts and immigration policies will continue to strain healthcare access for undocumented immigrants.
## Key takeaway

California’s Medicaid cuts and immigration fears have left 244,000 immigrants disenrolled from coverage since May 2025.