Executive Order Update: June 13th, 2025
This week, the Senate released key portions of its budget reconciliation package—known as the “One Big, Beautiful Bill”—through the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) and Agriculture Committees. The budget reconciliation package would codify into law some of the most harmful cuts proposed by the Trump administration. Meanwhile, a major immigration enforcement action in Los Angeles has sparked national controversy following a federal deployment of the National Guard. Lastly a sweeping overhaul of the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel has garnered mixed reactions.
Medicaid, Trump and Department of Homeland Security:
This week, the Trump administration authorized the transfer of personal data—including immigration status—of millions of Medicaid enrollees to federal deportation authorities. The move, revealed through internal memos obtained by the Associated Press, has sparked serious legal and ethical concerns with the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare (CMS) saying that handing over such information would violate federal laws, including the Social Security Act and the Privacy Act of 1974. Despite objections, two senior advisers to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ordered the data to be handed over to the Department of Homeland Security. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) were given just 54 minutes to comply. Critics warn this could be used to penalize immigrants pursuing legal residency or citizenship and may discourage states form participating in federal health programs.
One Big, Beautiful Bill Updates:
Changes to Higher Education: The Senate HELP committee’s provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill considerably limit access to higher education and deters students from pursuing or completing their degrees. The eliminating the Grad PLUS loan program, one of the three main options for graduate students to access loans, removing deferment options for borrowers facing economic hardship or unemployment, and the restricting Parent PLUS loans, potentially pushing families toward riskier private loans are example of harmful changes. These programs are vital for students and the economic mobility of those in our community.
SNAP Changes: The Senate Agriculture Committee introduces significant changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that could have far reaching consequences for millions of low-income individuals and families— up to ~8 million people, ~2.5 million children, and over ~500,000 seniors or disabled adults would be affected by changes. These changes include a federal funding shift in which states would be required to contribute 5–15% of SNAP benefits starting in 2028 under this plan; historically, SNAP has been 100% federally funded. SNAP immigrant eligibility restrictions would limit SNAP to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, certain Cuban nationals, and individuals under the Compacts of Free Association. This excludes many immigrants with humanitarian protections (e.g., refugees, asylum seekers, trafficking survivors). An estimated 120,000–250,000 immigrants could lose benefits over 10 years, including ~50,000 children. Lastly, SNAP expanded work requirements would include raising work requirements from 54 to 64, including parents of children over age 10, and restricting state waivers to areas with high unemployment.
U.S. Immigration Update: National Guard Deployed to Suppress Deportation Protests Status: Over the weekend, President Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard members to Los Angeles in response to protests against recent ICE deportation operations. This unprecedented move marks the first such deployment in over 60 years. The deployment has deepened mistrust between immigrant community and law enforcement, making it harder for families to feel safe or seek help when needed. Authorized under Title 10 of the U.S. Code, the deployment allows federal use of National Guard to enforce federal law but does not permit military assistance with civilian law enforcement, as the Insurrection Act has not been invoked. The deployment has escalated tensions, leading to violent clashes between protesters, ICE agents, and National Guard personnel. This has led to an erosion of local authority; and the California Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration filed a lawsuit against the federal government, citing a violation of state sovereignty.
Public Health: CDC Vaccine Panel Overhaul: On June 9, 2025, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dismissed all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), citing unspecified conflicts of interest. On June 11, Kennedy appointed eight new members: four with prior CDC or FDA experience; four with publicly skeptical views on certain vaccines and mandates. The decision drew mixed reactions from the public health community. While supporters argue it opens the door for greater transparency and accountability, many medical and public health experts have raised concerns about the removal of experienced immunization scientists and the inclusion of individuals with views outside Kennedy’s ‘Make American Healthy Again’ agenda.