Democrats deny shutdown linked to immigrant healthcare claims

Democrats are countering Republican claims that they aim to provide free healthcare to undocumented immigrants, emphasizing that no federal funds go to such programs and focusing instead on reversing Medicaid cuts and extending ACA subsidies. Republicans have falsely framed the issue as about illegal immigration to rally political support, while Democrats highlight the inaccuracy of these claims and the importance of healthcare protections for lawfully present immigrants. The ongoing government shutdown is partly driven by these misinformation campaigns and disagreements over healthcare funding and immigration policies.