Medi-Cal Immigrant Enrollment Drops Amid Fears Over Trump-Era Policies

Researchers cite climate of fear in immigrant communities as a key factor behind declining healthcare coverage.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 11:18am

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An extreme close-up X-ray photograph revealing the intricate internal structures of a human heart, glowing ghostly against a dark background, conceptually representing the vital healthcare needs of immigrant communities and the vulnerability created by declining Medi-Cal enrollment.The fragile state of healthcare access for immigrant communities is exposed in this ghostly X-ray image of a human heart.San Bernardino Today

Enrollment in Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program, has been declining among immigrant populations in recent years, with researchers pointing to a climate of fear stemming from immigration enforcement actions under the Trump administration as a key driver behind the trend.

Why it matters

Access to affordable healthcare is critical for immigrant communities, many of whom work in low-wage jobs without employer-provided coverage. Declining Medi-Cal enrollment could leave more immigrants without a safety net, potentially impacting public health outcomes and straining local healthcare systems.

The details

Community health workers like María González have struggled to enroll eligible immigrants in Medi-Cal due to widespread fear and mistrust, especially following high-profile immigration raids across Southern California. Enrollment declines have been observed across the state, with some counties seeing drops of over 10% among non-citizen populations.

  • The enrollment declines began building over the summer of 2026.
  • Immigration raids across Southern California have occurred in recent months, contributing to the climate of fear.

The players

María González

A community health worker in San Bernardino, California, where nearly a quarter of residents are foreign-born.

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What they’re saying

“Many people don't want to apply,”

— María González, Community Health Worker

What’s next

Researchers and advocacy groups are calling on state and local officials to take steps to reassure immigrant communities and remove barriers to Medi-Cal enrollment, in order to ensure access to vital healthcare services.

The takeaway

The decline in Medi-Cal enrollment among immigrant populations highlights the lasting impact of the Trump administration's hardline immigration policies, which have created an atmosphere of fear and mistrust that is now hindering access to essential healthcare services.