Ellison joins 13 states to defend health care coverage for DACA recipients

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and attorneys general in 13 other states have filed a motion to defend DACA recipients' access to health insurance.

The effort is in response to a legal challenge led by Kansas and several other states against a Biden administration rule that allows Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, recipients to purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. DACA allows immigrants who came to the U.S. as children to live and work without fear of deportation.

The effort is also in response to anticipated policy changes under the Trump administration, which could stop defending the affordable care act rule for DACA recipients.

Ellison says defending health care for DACA recipients protects public health and safety.

"By providing health care access to everybody, we allow people to stay healthier and we allow the system to expend less money," he said.

The challenge is being heard in the U.S. District Court in North Dakota.