An internal memo and emails obtained by the AP show that Medicaid officials unsuccessfully attempted to block the data transfer, citing legal and ethical concerns. They were overruled by two top advisers to Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr ., who ordered that the dataset be handed over to the Department of Homeland Security, the emails reveal.

House Republicans are touting that their sweeping tax and spending cuts package would kick many “illegal immigrants” off federal assistance, fulling one of President Donald Trump’s top priorities.