Mississippi reports $10.5 million in Medicaid for illegal immigrants
JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi officials say taxpayers paid more than $10.5 million in Medicaid benefits for people the state describes as illegal immigrants during federal fiscal years 2023 through 2025, State Auditor Shad White said Friday.
White said the figure was identified after his office commissioned a follow-up analysis to determine why the Mississippi Division of Medicaid had not reported spending on immigrants without legal status to the federal government. Federal law requires hospitals to provide emergency services regardless of immigration status and requires states to report such spending, the auditor said.
White criticized federal immigration enforcement and said the money could have been used for other priorities. “If this money had gone to benefit lawful citizens, it could have reduced our taxes, paid our teachers, paid our police officers—frankly anything would be better than serving as a magnet for illegal immigrants to come to the United States,” he said.
The auditor said the full report is available on the Auditor’s website under the “Reports” tab by searching “illegal immigrants.” This is a developing story and will be updated as more details emerge.
