Michigan’s Attorney General Dana Nessel says Michigan is one of 14 states taking legal action to protect health insurance access for Dreamers from potential court challenges.

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The move comes amid concerns about possible changes to U.S. immigration policies under the incoming Trump administration. The motion to intervene acts as a measure to allow Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients from losing health care insurance through the Affordable Care Act.

DACA designation is for people who have come to the U.S. as children and have lived here since 2007. It prevents immediate deportation for two years.

Michigan law allows DACA recipients to apply for insurance under the Biden Administration’s expansion of health care coverage.

“DACA recipients came to the U.S. as children but are now overwhelmingly adults caring for children — affordable health insurance is essential for healthy families and communities,” said Susan E. Reed, director of the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, in a statement. “Protecting access to the ACA creates greater stability for the entire health care system and we applaud this action by the Attorney General.”

Other states joining the motion include New Jersey, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon and Vermont.

Other headlines for Thursday, Jan. 16, 2024:

• The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services published a plan this week to improve its foster care system in Michigan.
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $60 million to 125 federally funded health centers to expand their hours of operation.
• Tejara, the American Arab Chamber of Commerce’s business incubator program, is hosting a coffee chat from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23 at Bayt al Mocha in Dearborn. Speaker Farah Bazzi, the founder of Marassel Cards, will share marketing tips and insights on brand growth.
• Tejara is also hosting a 9-week boot camp to guide Arab American and first or second-generation immigrants in developing businesses from idea to launch. The program takes from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Friday,s Feb. 21 through April 18. For more information, contact Huda Rahman at huda@tejara.org or call 313-850-2849. Applications are due by Jan. 28.

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