Immigration Policy Vulnerability Linked to Adverse Mental Health Among Latino Day Laborers

Alein Y Haro-Ramos,Hector P Rodriguez

doi:10.1007/s10903-021-01254-z

Alein Y Haro-Ramos, Hector P Rodriguez

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-021-01254-z

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Abstract

Latino day laborers in the United States are socially and economically vulnerable due to exclusionary immigration policies. Using data from a multi-mode survey, we examine the relationship between immigration policy legal vulnerability and mental health outcomes among 138 Latino, male day laborers (mean age = 45.65, SD = 12.05). Multivariable linear and logistic regression models separately estimated the effect of legal vulnerability, as measured by the Perceived Immigration Policy Effects Scale, on anxiety and depression symptoms and a positive depression and anxiety screening, respectively. Approximately 26.1% and 27.9% of day laborers reported depression and anxiety symptoms, respectively. In each adjusted model, we find a positive relationship between legal vulnerability and adverse mental health. Immigration policy legal vulnerability is associated with more depression and anxiety symptoms among Latino day laborers. Policies to reduce legal vulnerability, such as pathways to citizenship and employment authorization, may support Latino day laborers' mental health outcomes.

Highlights

Latino day laborers (LDLs) are a subgroup of the 11 million undocumented individuals [1] in the United States (U.S.) who are structurally vulnerable due to their legal status and a clustering of risk factors beyond their direct control [2]
We examined whether legal vulnerability resulting from exclusionary immigration policies was associated with an increased risk of poor mental health outcomes among Latino day laborers
Consistent with our hypothesis, our findings suggest that legal vulnerability is associated with more depressive and anxiety symptoms among this group

Summary

Introduction

Latino day laborers (LDLs) are a subgroup of the 11 million undocumented individuals [1] in the United States (U.S.) who are structurally vulnerable due to their legal status and a clustering of risk factors beyond their direct control [2]. The social conditions of day laborers —who are primarily undocumented men from Mexico and Central America—are shaped by structural forces in the form of exclusionary policies that racialize and criminalize immigrants [3,4,5,6]. Some recent immigration policy changes include increased enforcement [10], barriers to legal migration [11], and the separation of migrant children from their parents [12]. Self-perceived immigration policy vulnerability, including social exclusion, discrimination, and fear of family separation, is a critical indicator of immigration policies’ effects on immigrants’ lives. Immigration policy vulnerability may result in adverse mental health outcomes in the immigrant community by increasing exposure to chronic psychosocial stressors and creating a hostile environment

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