Rep. Wesley Hunt probes how many of New York’s 670K illegal immigrants are on Medicaid
Share this @internewscast.com

Texas Rep. Wesley Hunt is seeking clarification from New York Gov. Kathy Hochul regarding the number of estimated 670,000 illegal immigrants in the state who are gaining access to Medicaid benefits.

Hunt (R-Texas) issued a letter to Hochul on Monday, questioning how New York has used waivers to allow its Medicaid program to deviate from federal standards.

“Governor Hochul is mandated to provide this information to the federal government. The question is straightforward: Will she adhere to this requirement, or will she continue to support lawbreakers, potentially endangering the healthcare of citizens who abide by the law?” Hunt expressed in a statement to The Post.

“This is what Democrat leadership looks like: open borders, benefits for illegal aliens, and betrayal of the American people.”

An estimated 1.4 million people “whose citizenship, nationality, or satisfactory immigration status is not

verified” are potentially being covered by Medicaid programs in various states, according to a Congressional Budget Office estimate.

One study from the liberal-leaning Fiscal Policy Institute cited by Hunt found that there are some 670,000 illegal immigrants in the Empire State — about 4% of its population.

New York has benefited from Section 1115 waivers, which allow it to experiment and deviate from federal standards in its implementation of Medicaid, a program that provides health insurance to 70 million low-income Americans.

Hunt noted that the Biden administration had rejected the use of those waivers for states like South Carolina, Arizona, and elsewhere. The Texas Republican stressed that the waivers were not intended to allow illegal immigrants to benefit.

“The Biden Administration allowed, and even encouraged, the use of these 1115 waivers to extend Medicaid to undocumented immigrants, despite federal law prohibiting them from receiving such benefits,” Hunt wrote in his Monday letter to Hochul.

Back in February, President Trump signed an executive order directing his administration to ensure, to the maximum extent possible, that “no taxpayer-funded benefits go to unqualified aliens.”

That order pointed to existing law, such as the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, which generally blocks illegal immigrants from getting federal benefits from the taxpayers.

The Texas Republican also cited concerns about New York’s Green Light Law, which permits all state residents, regardless of immigration status, to get driver’s licenses.

The Justice Department filed a lawsuit against that law, arguing it hamstrings federal enforcement of immigration law. Hunt argued it could help illegal immigrants get access to taxpayer-funded benefits.

To address these concerns, Hunt demanded Hochul conduct a review of its Medicaid enrollment based on Social Security numbers and release those findings to the public.

“New Yorkers deserve transparency, accountability, and adherence to the law in the administration of public health programs,” Hunt argued in his letter to Hochul.

“Policies that divert limited resources away from lawful recipients not only violate federal standards—-they destroy public trust and threaten the sustainability of programs designed to serve our most vulnerable citizens.”

The Post contacted a Hochul spokesperson for comment.

Hunt has drawn speculation over recent weeks that he may vie for Sen. John Cornyn’s (R-Texas) seat in the 2026 midterm cycle.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Polite black bear stuns New Hampshire homeowners after ringing doorbell before exploring hot tub: video

Courteous Black Bear Surprises New Hampshire Residents by Ringing Doorbell Before Checking Out Hot Tub: Video

A curious black bear ambled right up to a home in New…
American tourist vanishes in tropical paradise after early morning walk from vacation rental

American Tourist Remains Missing in Famous Vacation Spot Amid Ongoing Mystery

An American man who disappeared several weeks ago in Turks and Caicos…
Airplane landing over houses.

Pilot Suggests ‘Human Error’ in Air India Crash, Citing Unlikely Tech Fault Probability

THE deadly Air India crash may have been the result of a…
Death of Australia’s ‘Outback Killer’ leaves whereabouts of British backpacker’s body unknown

The Passing of Australia’s ‘Outback Killer’ Leaves British Backpacker’s Body Unfound

Police fear that Bradley John Murdoch, also known as the “Outback Killer,”…
NYC comedian Ray DeJon dead days before he was supposed to hold birthday roast at his Brooklyn club

NYC Comedian Ray DeJon Passes Away Just Days Before Scheduled Birthday Roast at His Brooklyn Club

Comedian Ray DeJon has died just days before he was set to…
Trump’s disapproval rating hits record for second term

Trump’s Disapproval Reaches All-Time High in Second Term

(The Hill) — According to the latest Economist/YouGov poll, President Donald Trump’s…
Waldorf-Astoria brings back NYC’s 'grand hotel' style

Waldorf-Astoria Revives the Iconic ‘Grand Hotel’ Atmosphere in NYC

The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel’s September reopening, five years later than first planned, will…
Young worker killed after falling into meat grinder at factory of popular frozen burrito company

Tragic Workplace Accident Claims Life of Young Worker at Popular Frozen Burrito Factory

A workplace mishap over the weekend left a 19-year-old man dead after…
Texas woman accused of plotting ex-husband's murder with fentanyl-laced chocolates under indictment

Texas Woman Indicted for Allegedly Planning Ex-Husband’s Murder Using Fentanyl-Tainted Chocolates

A Texas woman faced charges last week after authorities alleged she attempted…
ESPYS' Sports Humanitarian Awards honor off-field achievements

Celebrating Off-Field Achievements: The ESPYS’ Sports Humanitarian Awards

LOS ANGELES — The 11th annual ESPYS’ Sports Humanitarian Awards took place…
2026 midterms: US Senate candidate Raja Krishnamoorthi releases 1st TV ad of campaign ahead of Democratic primary election

Raja Krishnamoorthi Unveils First TV Ad for 2026 US Senate Bid Ahead of Democratic Primary

CHICAGO (WLS) — The first television ad has hit the airway in…
US immigration news: Donald Trump's Department of Justice fires Chicago Assistant Chief Immigration Judge Jennifer Peyton

News on US Immigration: Chicago’s Assistant Chief Immigration Judge Jennifer Peyton Dismissed by Trump’s Department of Justice

CHICAGO (WLS) — The head of Chicago’s immigration court was abruptly fired…