The Department of Homeland Security has struck a deal with federal health agencies that allows ICE to access personal information from the Medicaid database—including names, addresses, birth dates, Social Security numbers, and even racial and ethnic data.

This database covers more than 79 million people—low-income families, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Under the new agreement, ICE will be able to use this health data to track and deport undocumented immigrants—even those who sought care only through emergency Medicaid, a legally mandated service for anyone in need of life-saving treatment.

Health care should never be used as a trap. When people avoid hospitals or delay treatment out of fear, public health suffers—and lives are lost. Patients should not have to choose between getting help and getting detained.

We’re calling on Congress to immediately introduce and pass legislation blocking ICE from accessing or using Medicaid data for deportation purposes.

If lawmakers do nothing, millions of people may forgo critical care—and trust in our health system will be shattered.

No one should be afraid to seek medical help. Not in America.