Overview

• The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reclassified DACA recipients as not lawfully present in June, disqualifying them from ACA marketplace coverage from August 31, 2025.
• Roughly 2,300 enrolled Dreamers in California must seek employer‐sponsored plans, qualify for Medi-Cal, or face losing health insurance altogether.
• CMS said the reversal aims to stabilize risk pools, reduce improper enrollments and help lower premiums.
• Experts warn that removing younger, healthier enrollees will probably push up premiums for all ACA participants.
• Advocates caution that further benefit cuts for refugees, asylees and humanitarian parolees are set to take effect in 2027.