Sure! Here’s the translation into American English:
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The federal government of the United States has sparked controversy by using data from the Medicaid program to identify and deport immigrants. This misuse of sensitive information has provoked a swift response from several privacy advocacy organizations, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), which has filed an “amicus curiae” brief alongside EPIC and the Protect Democracy Project, requesting that a judge halt this violation of federal data protection laws.
According to a recent report, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has disclosed sensitive information about Medicaid beneficiaries to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Medicaid, a federal program that provides medical assistance to low-income individuals, is primarily administered by the states, some of which allow the enrollment of non-citizens. This has made crucial personal information, such as names, addresses, and immigration statuses, accessible to immigration authorities.
The situation has led a group of 20 states, including California, to file a lawsuit against the federal agencies HHS and DHS. These states argue that multiple laws have been violated, including the Social Security Act and the Privacy Act, warning that the disclosure of sensitive data could cause severe harm to beneficiaries’ privacy.
The issue has gained greater urgency following the signing of a new agreement allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to access the personal data of Medicaid beneficiaries. This agreement has faced criticism for its lack of transparency and the dangers it poses to citizens’ privacy.
Since the 1970s, following scandals like Watergate, legislation has been enacted to focus on the protection of governmental data privacy. The EFF has played an active role in defending these regulations, emphasizing that recent attempts to access private data threaten citizens’ rights and erode public trust. This context highlights the urgent need to safeguard confidential information and prevent future abuses by government agencies.
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If you need any adjustments or additional information, let me know!
via: MiMub in Spanish
