The impact of local immigration enforcement policies on the health of immigrant Hispanics/Latinos in the United States

Individual Author(s) / Organizational Author
Rhodes, Scott
Mann, Lilli
Siman, Florence M.
Song, Eunyoung
Alonzo, Jorge
Downs, Mario
Lawlor, Emma
Martinez, Omar
Sun, Christina J.
O'Brien, Mary Claire
Reboussin, Beth A.
Hall, Mark A
Date
February 2015
Publication
American Journal of Public Health
Abstract / Description

Objectives

We sought to understand how local immigration enforcement policies affect the utilization of health services among immigrant Hispanics/Latinos in North Carolina.

Methods

In 2012, we analyzed vital records data to determine whether local implementation of section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act and the Secure Communities program, which authorizes local law enforcement agencies to enforce federal immigration laws, affected the prenatal care utilization of Hispanics/Latinas. We also conducted 6 focus groups and 17 interviews with Hispanic/Latino persons across North Carolina to explore the impact of immigration policies on their utilization of health services.

Results

We found no significant differences in utilization of prenatal care before and after implementation of section 287(g), but we did find that, in individual-level analysis, Hispanic/Latina mothers sought prenatal care later and had inadequate care when compared with non-Hispanic/Latina mothers. Participants reported profound mistrust of health services, avoiding health services, and sacrificing their health and the health of their family members.

Conclusions

Fear of immigration enforcement policies is generalized across counties. Interventions are needed to increase immigrant Hispanics/Latinos’ understanding of their rights and eligibility to utilize health services. Policy-level initiatives are also needed (e.g., driver’s licenses) to help undocumented persons access and utilize these services.

(author abstract) #P4HEwebinarNovember2022

Artifact Type
Research
Reference Type
Journal Article
Geographic Focus
National
Priority Population
Migrants, immigrants, and refugees
P4HE Authored
No
Topic Area
Social/Structural Determinants » Global Health » Migration