USCIS renews matching programs in five states to detect benefits fraud

Original Date Announced
May 17, 2019
USCIS announces that it will reestablish computer matching programs between DHS and five states: New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Texas and California to "verify the immigration status of non-U.S. citizens who apply for federal benefits." State Departments of Labor in NY, MA, NJ, and TX will match against DHS–USCIS data to verify the immigration status of non-U.S. citizens who apply for federal benefits under the Unemployment Compensation programs that each state administers. The California Department of Healthcare Services will match against DHS-USCIS data to verify the immigrant status of non-U.S. citizens who apply for federal benefits under the Medicaid program.
The program will continue for 18 months and may be extended for an additional 12 months.
New Jersey Texas California New York Massachusetts
Subsequent Trump-Era and Court Action(s)
- June 17, 2019
  The current effective date of this program is June 17, 2019 to December 16, 2020.

Fully in Effect

Status: Final/Actual

Trump Administration Action: Data and Reports

Subject Matter: Humanitarian

Agencies Affected: USCIS State & Local Entities

Pre Trump-Era Policies

January 16, 2009 Each of the renewed programs had an "initial execution date" in 2009. This is detailed in the DHS Privacy Office Annual Report, published Aug. 14, 2020. For execution dates, see pages 11 (New York, January 16, 2009), 14 (New Jersey, January 16, 2009, though an earlier agreement dates from January 2005), 15 (Massachusetts, January 16, 2009), 16 (Texas, June 8, 2009), and 17 (California, June 18, 2009). DHS Privacy Office Computer Matching Agreements Annual Report (Aug. 2020)