Abstract
Arizona's state-level policies restricting undocumented immigrants' access to public benefits continue to have implications on mixed-status households' accessibility to care. More notably, the effects of prolonged stress, anxiety and trauma remain unaddressed whilst mental health services continue to be absent. This article examines the healthcare experiences of mixed-status households after Arizona's SB1070 (“Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act”) was passed. Arizona Senate Bill 1070 (SB1070) was state legislation empowering police to detain individuals unable to prove their citizenship upon request. Of particular interest is how households navigate accessibility to care when members have varied immigration statuses, hence, varied healthcare availability. Interviews with 43 households in Tucson, Arizona, 81% of which had at least one undocumented member, reveal barriers and promoters to care. Barriers include complexity of applications, fear and trepidation in seeking care. Promoters include discount care programs that are a vital source of care as well as discretionary practices exercised by front-line staff. Findings have implications beyond Arizona as immigrants settle in new destination states while the current Trump administration borrows from Arizona's anti-immigrant policies.
Highlights
Immigration policy and policies concerning undocumented immigrants are highly contentious issues in the U.S The 2016 national election emboldened anti-immigrant rhetoric and climate that Arizona epitomized in 2010 with the passage and enactment of Arizona Senate Bill 1070 (SB1070), “Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act” [1, 2]
Immigrants’ fear of deportation and social stigmatization impede access to health care and make them more vulnerable to chronic illnesses [11, 12]. These factors may contribute to immigrant households forgoing or delaying needed medical services, even if members in these households are eligible for services
Forty-two percent reported obtaining their usual source of care at a federally qualified health center under the discount care program while 21% of interviewees reported not having a usual place for care (Table 1)
Summary
Immigration policy and policies concerning undocumented immigrants are highly contentious issues in the U.S The 2016 national election emboldened anti-immigrant rhetoric and climate that Arizona epitomized in 2010 with the passage and enactment of Arizona Senate Bill 1070 (SB1070), “Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act” [1, 2]. Arizona’s SB1070 was proposed to encourage undocumented immigrants to “self deport” by restricting their access to public goods and services [3]. Tougher immigration enforcement and restrictive policies continue under the new administration, giving rise to greater uncertainty, which may drive more mixed-status households into the shadows [6]. Immigrants’ fear of deportation and social stigmatization impede access to health care and make them more vulnerable to chronic illnesses [11, 12]. These factors may contribute to immigrant households forgoing or delaying needed medical services, even if members in these households are eligible for services
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