Starting November 1, 2024, all hospitals in Texas must ask patients for their U.S. immigration status. However, patients do not have to answer. Hospitals want to assure everyone that the quality of care will not change, no matter how they respond or if they choose not to respond. The Governor’s order is tracking the costs of treating patients without legal status.

This order, issued by Texas Governor Abbott in August 2024, requires hospitals to report to the state by March 2025. These reports will include details about the costs and treatments given to patients without legal status but will not include any personal information about them. The reports will distinguish between costs covered by programs like Medicaid and CHIP and those for patients that are not covered who do not have a legal immigration status.

Texas is the second state to implement such a program. Florida started a similar initiative last year. So far, in Florida, less than 1% of patients admitted to hospitals or visiting emergency rooms reported being in the country without legal permission.

If you have questions about U.S. immigration, whether employment-based or family-based, please contact us. Our clients work directly with their attorney to ensure they get the proper guidance for their particular situation.