As DACA recipients lose federal health benefits, Washington state offers immigrants an alternative

As DACA recipients lose federal health benefits, Washington state offers immigrants an alternative Gustavo Sagrero Álvarez August 25, 2025 / 4:27 pm

Starting this week, immigrants in the U.S. under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program will no longer qualify for federal health insurance. But Washington is one of few states where DACA recipients will be able to keep their government health insurance — with some caveats.

In Washington, hundreds of DACA recipients, also known as "Dreamers," will still be able to participate in the state’s health exchange. But they'll lose out on about $350 per month of additional federal benefits, according to the state's health benefits exchange. These benefits are federal tax credits and cost-sharing subsidies from the federal g