Undocumented immigrants

Undocumented immigrants are non-citizens who reside in the U.S. Without legal authorization under current immigration laws.

The Department of Homeland Security estimated 10.5 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. As of 2021, including nationals from countries such as Mexico, El Salvador, and Guatemala.

States like California and New York allow undocumented immigrants to purchase certain insurance products such as auto or health coverage using an ITIN instead of a Social Security number. Undocumented immigrants cannot purchase health insurance on federal marketplaces per Affordable Care Act rules, but some states offer alternative options through state-funded programs; for example, California’s Medi-Cal covers low-income undocumented youth under age 26 and adults over age 50.

Carriers such as Kaiser Permanente and Blue Shield of California provide private health plans accessible with ITINs in select states, according to YourInsurance.info. Undocumented immigrants can legally buy auto insurance in states that permit driver’s licenses regardless of immigration status, such as Illinois and Washington; data shows over 800,000 unauthorized immigrants held California driver’s licenses in 2017.

Insurers require proof of identity and residency, which many undocumented immigrants provide using foreign passports or consular IDs. Life insurers such as Mutual of Omaha and Transamerica offer policies to applicants presenting valid ITINs or other alternative documentation.

Premium rates for undocumented immigrant customers often reflect higher risk due to limited credit history and may cost up to 20% more than rates for citizens with established profiles. Federal law prohibits undocumented immigrants from receiving most public benefits including Medicaid except for emergency services covered by Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA).

Some nonprofit organizations, such as Health Access California, assist undocumented immigrants in enrolling in available local health programs using verifiable ID documents. Data from Pew Research Center indicates children of undocumented parents may qualify for CHIP or Medicaid depending on state-level eligibility rules despite parental status.