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ICE shared Medicaid data it wasn't supposed to have with Palantir
By Jude Joffe-Block | NPR at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· July 18, 2026
· 5 min read
ICE agents stand guard outside a immigrant detention center in Newark, New Jersey in May 2026. Medicaid officials improperly shared data about millions of people with ICE, who then shared that data with the data analytics firm Palantir, according to new court filings.(Adam Gray / Getty Images)
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Key takeaway Palantir said in a statement to NPR that the dataset in question had been purged.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The revelation that Medicaid data was improperly shared with ICE and then with Palantir has significant implications for Los Angeles , home to a large and diverse immigrant population. The fact that ICE agents have access to an app that shows the addresses of noncitizens who may be subject to deportation raises concerns about the potential for increased enforcement activity in the city. Los Angeles has long been a sanctuary city, with local leaders pledging to protect the rights of undocumented immigrants. The improper sharing of Medicaid data undermines these efforts and could lead to increased fear and mistrust among immigrant communities. As the court case continues to unfold, Los Angeles residents will be watching closely to see how the ruling affects the city's immigrant population and whether local leaders will take steps to mitigate the impact of federal immigration policies. The city's history of advocating for immigrant rights will likely be put to the test in the coming months.
About this story
Original reporting by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 18, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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What is this story about? ICE agents stand guard outside a immigrant detention center in Newark, New Jersey in May 2026. Medicaid officials improperly shared data about millions of people with ICE, who then shared that data with the data analytics firm Palantir, according to new court filings.(Adam Gray / Getty Images)
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When was this published? This article was first published on July 18, 2026 by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jude Joffe-Block | NPR at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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