The Affordable Care Act & Mixed-Status Families: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

National Immigration Law Center answers sixteen FAQs about how the Affordable Care Act (ACA) affects mixed-status families in the U.S.

The report defines a mixed-status family as "a household made up of individuals with different citizenship or immigration statuses."  Many of these families are unsure if and/or how they can access health insurance through the ACA without putting their undocumented family members at risk. Under the ACA "only U.S. citizens and people who are ‘lawfully present'" are eligible for health insurance. However, ineligible (i.e. undocumented) family members may complete an application on behalf of an eligible family member without being required to reveal their immigration status and risk apprehension. Any information provided on ACA applications will not be used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). NILC encourages family members to apply for Medicaid or CHIP on behalf of eligible family members.(Abstract written by Jade Flora-Holmquist)

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