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Judge orders RFK Jr’s HHS to stop sharing Medicaid data with immigration officials
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A federal judge ordered the Department of Health and Human Services to stop providing access to Medicaid enrollees’ personal data, including their home addresses, to immigration officials.
District Judge Vince Chhabria, an Obama appointee, granted a preliminary injunction blocking the Department of Homeland Security from using Medicaid data obtained from 20 states that filed a lawsuit to stop the data sharing.
The order, handed down Tuesday, blocks HHS from sharing data on Medicaid enrollees in these states with Immigration and Customs Enforcement for the purpose of targeting migrants for deportation.
«Using CMS data for immigration enforcement threatens to significantly disrupt the operation of Medicaid—a program that Congress has deemed critical for the provision of health coverage to the nation’s most vulnerable residents,» Chhabria wrote.
CALIFORNIA SUES TRUMP ADMIN AGAIN, THIS TIME OVER MEDICAID DATA TRANSFER TO DHS
A judge ordered HHS to stop providing access to Medicaid enrollees’ personal data to immigration officials. (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
The judge wrote that while there is nothing «categorically unlawful» about DHS collecting data from other agencies for immigration enforcement purposes, ICE has had a policy against using Medicaid data for that reason for 12 years.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has also long maintained a policy of using patients’ personal information only to run its healthcare programs.
«Given these policies, and given that the various players in the Medicaid system have relied on them, it was incumbent upon the agencies to carry out a reasoned decision-making process before changing them,» Chhabria wrote, adding: «The record in this case strongly suggests that no such process occurred.»
Chhabria said the preliminary injunction will remain in effect until HHS provides «reasoned decision-making» for its new policy of sharing data with immigration officials or until litigation concludes.
The disclosure of Medicaid data is part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to give DHS more data to help locate migrants and carry out the president’s mass deportation plan. In May, a federal judge refused to block the Internal Revenue Service from sharing immigrants’ tax data with ICE officials.
BIDEN-APPOINTED JUDGE HALTS TRUMP HHS OVERHAUL AFTER DEMOCRAT-LED LAWSUIT
The disclosure of Medicaid data is part of a wider effort by the Trump administration to give DHS more data to help locate migrants. (SAUL LOEB/AFP)
«The Trump Administration’s move to use Medicaid data for immigration enforcement upended longstanding policy protections without notice or consideration for the consequences,» California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement. «As the President continues to overstep his authority in his inhumane anti-immigrant crusade, this is a clear reminder that he remains bound by the law.»
HHS first provided the personal information of millions of Medicaid enrollees in June, prompting a lawsuit from the 20 states to block the new policy.
In July, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services entered into a new agreement that allowed DHS to have daily access to the personal data of the country’s 79 million Medicaid enrollees, including their Social Security numbers and home address.
Neither agreement was announced publicly. HHS has insisted that its agreement with DHS is legal.
Medicaid officials had attempted to block the data transfer, but they were overruled by top advisers to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Immigrants – both legal and illegal – are not authorized to enroll in the Medicaid program, which offers nearly free coverage for health services. However, under federal law, all states must offer emergency Medicaid, a temporary coverage that only covers lifesaving services in emergency rooms to anyone, including people who are not U.S. citizens.
The judge blocked DHS from using Medicaid data obtained from 20 states that filed a lawsuit to stop the data sharing. (Getty Images)
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«Protecting people’s private health information is vitally important,» Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown said in a statement. «And everyone should be able to seek medical care without fear of what the federal government may do with that information.»
The sharing of Medicaid enrollees’ personal data could cause concern among people seeking emergency medical help for themselves or their children, immigration advocates have warned.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
immigration,robert f kennedy jr,illegal immigrants,us,health,donald trump,politics
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Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, will not seek reelection, opting to leave the Senate just minutes before Wednesday’s filing deadline in the Treasure State, three sources confirmed to Fox News Digital.
Montana’s senior senator is serving his second term and was widely expected to secure a third in Big Sky Country, where President Donald Trump won by nearly 20 points in 2024. He previously served two terms in the House before making the leap to the upper chamber.
Daines played a key role during that election cycle as chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, helping Republicans regain a majority in the upper chamber. He also backed Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Montana, in a grueling race against former Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, helping the GOP secure unified control of Washington.
Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, plans to retire at the end of his term, opening up his seat in Big Sky Country as Republicans look to keep their grip in the upper chamber. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
The lawmaker said in a video statement that after «much careful thought, I’ve decided not to seek reelection.»
He thanked his wife, Cindy, and noted that for the last 13 years, she «has selflessly dropped me off at the airport at 5 a.m. on most Mondays for that commute back to D.C.»
«And together, Cindy and I look forward to the next chapter, like cherishing moments with seven grandchildren, spending a bit more time in Montana and continuing to make a difference,» he said.
With Daines set to leave the Senate, Republicans will now look to hold the seat. Montana’s primary election is scheduled for June 2.
REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS’ EARLY RETIREMENT RUMORS SEND SHOCKWAVES THROUGH HOUSE GOP
President Donald Trump takes questions from the media during a bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office of the White House on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Montana U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme filed just minutes before Daines withdrew from the race, according to the Montana Secretary of State. Earlier Wednesday, former University of Montana President Seth Bodnar entered the race as an independent.
Trump wasted no time lauding Daines and swiftly backing Alme in a post on Truth Social.
«Steve Daines, of Montana, is one of our truly Great United States Senators,» Trump said. «He honorably served for 12 years in the Senate, and 2 in the House of Representatives. He did a job like few others are capable of doing but, sadly for our Country, Steve’s Term is up, and he has decided to leave the Senate and, ‘pass the torch’ to Kurt Alme, my TRUMP 45 and TRUMP 47 U.S. Attorney.»
OPERATION EPIC FURY SURVIVES SENATE CHALLENGE AS REPUBLICANS CLOSE RANKS BEHIND TRUMP
Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., arrives to a caucus meeting with House Republicans on Capitol Hill on May 10, 2023. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Three Democrats are also running on the opposite side of the primary field: Alani Bankhead, Reilly Neil and Michael Blackwolf.
A spokesperson for the Senate Democrats’ campaign arm, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, told Fox News Digital in a statement that «Republicans’ midterm prospects are so bleak in 2026 that yet another Senator is running for the hills.»
«Steve Daines is joining more and more of his colleagues in deciding to throw in the towel rather than defend their toxic record,» they said. «This news is the latest flashing warning sign to all GOP senators: Your jobs are not safe, retire or lose.»
Daines’ departure comes on the heels of Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Montana, who earlier this week announced he plans to retire from the House.
Zinke cited several undisclosed surgeries stemming from injuries he suffered as a Navy SEAL.
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«My judgment and experience tell me it is better for Montana and America to have full-time representation in Congress than run the risk of uncertain absence and missed votes,» Zinke said.
His open primary has already attracted several Montana Republicans, including Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen and conservative radio host Aaron Flint, who swiftly earned the endorsements of Zinke and Trump.
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INTERNACIONAL
De los autos blindados al ataúd dorado: así fue el imponente funeral del líder narco «El Mencho» en México
El último adiós a Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho”, estuvo lejos de la ostentación habitual de los grandes capos narcos.
El líder del Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), uno de los criminales más buscados del mundo, fue despedido en un cementerio moderno de Zapopan, bajo un operativo militar que incluyó vehículos blindados y un despliegue de seguridad pocas veces visto.
Leé también: El dramático testimonio de una turista que vivió el operativo contra “El Mencho” en México
El cuerpo de Oseguera, por quien Estados Unidos ofrecía una recompensa de 15 millones de dólares, fue entregado el sábado a sus familiares por la Fiscalía General.
Desde Ciudad de México lo trasladaron a Guadalajara para velarlo y sepultarlo, en una tumba a ras de tierra, a solo cinco kilómetros de uno de los estadios que serán sede del Mundial 2026.
El ataúd dorado de Nemesio «El Mencho» Oseguera en el cementerio Recinto de la Paz en Zapopan. (Foto: AFP/Ulises Ruiz).
Un funeral blindado y casi anónimo
Desde el domingo, la casa funeraria donde velaron a “El Mencho” estuvo rodeada por un fuerte dispositivo de seguridad.
Militares, guardias nacionales y policías controlaron cada movimiento, interrogaron a todos los que se acercaron y evitaron la llegada de curiosos.
Familiares de Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias as «El Mencho,» asisten a su funeral. (Foto: Reuters).
Sin embargo, el desfile de flores no se detuvo. Grúas cargadas de arreglos monumentales —algunos en forma de cruces, alas de ángeles y hasta un gallo, en honor a la pasión por las peleas del narco conocido como “El señor de los gallos”— llegaron de manera casi anónima, sin destinatario visible.
Finalmente, fueron necesarias cinco grúas para trasladar todos los arreglos florales que le enviaron a la familia del narcotraficante mexicano.
(Foto: AFP/Ulises Ruiz).
La ruta hacia el cementerio se mantuvo en secreto hasta último momento por cuestiones de seguridad.
Solo unas ocho personas vestidas de negro y con lentes oscuros, presuntos familiares, acompañaron la carroza blanca que llevaba el ataúd dorado.
El convoy fue escoltado por una decena de vehículos militares y de la Guardia Nacional, además de motos policiales que abrieron paso hasta el camposanto. Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias El Mencho, murió en un operativo de las fuerzas mexicanas en Jalisco (Foto: EFE).
Música norteña y un último adios
En el cementerio, custodiado por el Ejército mexicano, solo permitieron el ingreso a quienes demostraron tener asuntos en el lugar.
El féretro dorado fue llevado a una capilla, donde una banda de música norteña interpretó narcocorridos inspirados en la vida de los capos. El Mencho era conocido como «el señor de los gallos». (Foto: AFP/Ulises Ruiz).
Tras una ceremonia de casi una hora, el ataúd volvió a la carroza y fue llevado a la tumba. Una veintena de personas de luto acompañó el entierro, mientras sonaba una canción con la frase: “Ya muerto voy a llevarme no más un puño de tierra”.
A diferencia de otros narcos, “El Mencho” no descansará en un mausoleo lujoso, sino en una tumba sencilla, a ras de la tierra, en un cementerio vecino a una instalación militar.
El Mencho fue enterrado en una tumba al ras de una tierra. (Foto: AFP/Ulises Ruiz).
Violencia y venganza tras la muerte de “El Mencho”
La muerte de Oseguera, ocurrida el domingo 22 de febrero durante un sorpresivo operativo federal en un country de Tapalpa, Jalisco, desató una ola de violencia.
Miembros del CJNG lanzaron ataques coordinados en 20 de los 32 estados mexicanos, con bloqueos, incendios y atentados contra instalaciones oficiales. El cementerio estuvo custodiado pro blindados del Ejército mexicano. (Foto: Reuters).
En estos hechos, más de 70 personas murieron, marcando uno de los episodios más sangrientos tras la caída de un líder narco en México.
Un militar que participó del operativo, bajo anonimato, explicó que el cuerpo de Oseguera fue custodiado en todo momento para evitar que grupos rivales hicieran escarnio de él.
Leé también: Escondida en un bosque y protegida por muros de piedra: así es la mansión donde cayó “El Mencho”
Así, el adiós a “El Mencho” combinó el silencio de sus allegados, la música de banda y un despliegue de seguridad que reflejó el poder y el temor que generó en vida.
México, Narcotráfico
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As airstrikes rain down on the Iranian regime, can a fractured opposition unite to lead if it falls?
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As U.S. and Israeli air forces continue to attack Iran’s leadership and facilities with devastating military strikes, there are intense discussions unfolding on who will rule the country if the regime falls.
One of the biggest questions being asked by Iran experts is whether the fragmented opposition groups can come together and unite in defeating the regime.
Lawdan Bazargan, an Iranian political and human rights activist who was imprisoned by the regime for her dissident activities in the 1980s, told Fox News Digital that there is a dangerous precedent for a total unified opposition. «Unity cannot mean everyone stands under my flag.»
A general view of Tehran with smoke visible in the distance after explosions were reported in the city, on March 2, 2026 in Tehran, Iran. (Contributor/Getty Images)
She said, «That model failed Iran once before. In 1979, one figure [Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini] absorbed moral authority while claiming he wasn’t seeking office and ended up consolidating absolute power. It’s also not fair to automatically position someone who has not lived in Iran for decades as the interim authority of over 90 million people. That fuels more mistrust, not less.»
She also warned about the need to avoid a Venezuela situation where Nicolás Maduro was replaced by his devotee Delcy Rodríguez.
Mariam Memarsadeghi, a senior fellow at Macdonald-Laurier Institute and founder and director of the Cyrus Forum for Iran’s Future, told Fox News Digital that «When it comes to helping unite opposition forces, the crown prince [Reza Pahlavi] has the most responsibility because he is leading. It is to everyone’s advantage for him to build true alliances and real cooperation.»
She added,»He can start through reconciliation with prominent figures who once were in collaboration with him, before spoilers in his own ranks were propelled by regime manipulation and infiltration to turn on others. It will be tempting to think that, because he is popular, he does not need others. But there is much hard work ahead.»
IRAN’S SENIOR CLERICS ‘EXPOSED’ AFTER BUILDING STRIKE IN QOM, SUCCESSION CHOICE LOOMS
Exiled Iranian crown prince Reza Pahlavi speaks during a news conference on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)
Reza Farnood, a researcher, writer and activist, told Fox News Digital «In 48 years of activism and struggle, I have never experienced such broad unity and alignment. Even those who for years held firmly leftist views and were staunch opponents of the Shah and the Pahlavi family are now openly supporting the prince. Inside Iran, people are openly and courageously chanting his name,» he claimed.
Yet others remain skeptical of Pahlavi. Alireza Nader, an Iran expert, said: «Unfortunately, the Iranian opposition is more divided than ever. And I blame much of it on Reza Pahlavi and his team. Take the announcement of the formation of the new Kurdish Iranian coalition. Pahlavi attacked the coalition as soon as it was formed, labeling them as ‘separatists’… But then Pahlavi had to walk back his statement after he found out that President Trump had called Kurdish leaders, an important development.»
Cars burn in a street during a protest over the collapse of the currency’s value in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 8, 2026. (Stringer/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS)
Nader said, «The Kurds are very organized and capable. And they are armed. Anyone who wants to free Iran has to work with them. The regime is a deeply entrenched system in Iran. It’s an ideology and belief system that will not be uprooted with air strikes. And the regime has been preparing for this moment for decades. The individual leaders may not matter as much as the system.»
FIREBRAND ANTI-AMERICAN CLERIC ALIREZA ARAFI SEEN AS CONTENDER TO REPLACE IRAN’S KHAMENEI
Yet while many voices claim Pahlavi should be the rightful successor to bring democracy to Iran, others point to the influential Mojahedin-e-Khalq (MEK), the Iranian exile organization that has attracted supporters like former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets Maryam Rajavi at Ashraf-3 – May 16, 2022, in Albania. (NCRI)
The group was reportedly the first to highlight Iran’s nuclear weapons ambitions and regularly posts videos on its social media showing its active units operating against the regime. A post on X dated March 3 shows attacks against regime targets: «Resistance Units step up anti-regime activities nationwide,» it said, adding that there have been 30 operations in 15 cities, including Tehran, in the last days.
IRANIAN JOURNALIST URGES TRUMP TO ‘FINISH THE JOB,’ SAYS IRANIANS FEAR ‘WOUNDED REGIME’
Its Paris-based leader, Maryam Rajavi, says she supports a secular provisional government. Ali Safavi, an official with the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Paris-based National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), told Fox News Digital, the organization «has consistently argued that unity must be built on principles — republicanism, popular sovereignty, human rights and the separation of religion and state — rather than on personalities or nostalgia for past systems.»
The NCRI is the umbrella organization for groups that fall under the rubric of MEK.
Andrew Ghalili, the policy director for the National Union for Democracy in Iran (NUFDI), defended Pahlavi’s standing: «There is no figure within the Islamic Republic who has legitimacy with the Iranian people or who would be a credible partner for the U.S.»
TRUMP SAYS IRAN’S SUCCESSION BENCH WIPED OUT AS ISRAELI STRIKE HITS LEADERSHIP DELIBERATIONS
He added, «As for opposition unity, the pro-democracy opposition is more united than it gets credit for. At the Munich Security Conference in 2025, a broad coalition came together around Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi and four core principles for democratic transition. That includes monarchists, republicans, human rights advocates, ethnic minority representatives — all committed to a democratic, territorially intact Iran.»
On Jan 10, 2026, in Madrid, Spain, members of the Iranian community gather at Plaza de Cibeles for a demonstration in support of the anti-regime protests. (Francesco Militello Mirto/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Ghalili claimed, «When people say the opposition is ‘fractured,’ they’re usually lumping in groups like the MEK, which is universally reviled inside Iran and has no democratic credentials or aspirations, or separatist movements that don’t reflect what Iranians, including ethnic minorities, actually want. The real pro-democracy opposition is already uniting. The world, and international media, should recognize it.»
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Bazargan warned that «If the West truly wants stability and not a Venezuela-style managed authoritarian transition, it should not anoint personalities. It should push for a structured transition that guarantees free and fair elections within 12 months, with distributed authority and real safeguards against concentration of power. Iran does not need another supreme figure, even a secular one. It needs an accountable transitional framework so every Iranian feels they have a stake in their future. Without that, fragmentation will continue, and fragmentation only helps the regime survive.»
Her warning was echoed by Memarsadeghi, who said, «The Iranian people will not trust in any process that leaves in power any vestige of the regime that massacred them.»
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