Fear Of Deportation Research Articles

Implications of Undocumented Status for Latinx Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Call to Action

ABSTRACT Background A disproportionate number of COVID-19 cases and deaths have been reported among Latinxs in the U.S. Among those most affected by the pandemic are marginalized families, including those that are undocumented and mixed-status, in which some, but not all members are undocumented. Undocumented and mixed-status families face multiple and chronic daily stressors that compromised their health and wellbeing. Salient stressors faced by undocumented Latinx families include poverty, social disadvantage, discrimination, dangerous living and working conditions, and limited access to healthcare. These stressors are frequently compounded with trauma, fear of detention, deportation, and family separation. Purpose Informed by the literature and insights from our community-based work to address the health needs of undocumented and mixed status Latinx families during the pandemic, this paper uses a social determinants of health lens to present a narrative summary that highlights four primary psychosocial stressors faced by these families and their implications for mental health. Discussion These include stressors pertaining to (a) anti-immigrant rhetoric and actions; (b) family stressors and disruptions in family dynamics; (c) economic changes and financial losses; and (c) limited access to healthcare. Implications of the aforesaid stressors on the mental health of undocumented families and youth are also discussed. In addition, recommendations are provided for the provision of mental health services, best practices, and resources from a strengths-based approach.

Access of Syrian refugees to COVID-19 testing in Lebanon.

Polymerase chain reaction is a well-known method for testing COVID-19 infection, however, refugee populations often face difficulties in accessing testing. Several structural and cultural challenges have hindered access of Syrian refugees to COVID-19 testing in Lebanon, including financial barriers, stigma, and low perception of vulnerability. To explore barriers to accessing COVID-19 testing by Syrian refugees in Lebanon. This qualitative study conducted 10 focus group discussions among Syrian refugees and 21 individual semistructured interviews with healthcare workers. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of the Lebanese International University, and the study followed the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Syrian refugees in Lebanon did not consider COVID-19 testing to be important. Despite the availability of free testing services, psychological, cultural, environmental, and financial barriers hindered them from getting tested. Some of them relied on consultation with pharmacists, who were easy to access and provided symptomatic treatment without the need to test for COVID-19. Fear of stigma, deportation, and isolation were common cultural barriers. Testing was considered unnecessary because of the perception of low disease severity and an attitude of negligence towards preventive practices. The harsh economic and living conditions were of greater concern to the refugees. Findings from this study add to existing literature regarding the social and cultural barriers to COVID-19 testing among Syrian refugees and should be considered when tailoring health promotion campaigns to halt the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Measuring Latinx/@ immigrant experiences and mental health: Adaptation of discrimination and historical loss scales.

Migration processes encompass uncertainty, discrimination, racism, stigma, social isolation, lack of access to resources, fear of deportation, and family separation, having a critical impact on the health of Latinx/@ immigrants in the United States. It is essential to accurately measure the ways in which social, legal, economic, and political contexts impact mental health. This article discusses adaptation and use of discrimination and historical loss measures in a multilevel community-based advocacy, learning, and social support intervention (Immigrant Well-Being Project) with Latinx/@ immigrants in New Mexico, using participatory research approaches. Participants (n = 52) were recruited through community partner organizations and completed four qualitative and quantitative interviews over a 12-month period. The present analysis draws on the baseline quantitative data. Results show it is possible to adapt standardized measures of discrimination developed to assess the experiences of other racial/ethnic groups; however, the most common responses involved response options added by our research team. For the historical loss instrument, there was a high frequency of "never" answers for many items, suggesting that they were not relevant for participants or did not capture their experiences of loss. As with the discrimination measures, the items we added resonated the most with participants. The contexts of discrimination and loss for Latinx/@ immigrant populations are complex, thus the tools we use to measure these experiences and their impact on health must account for this complexity. This study contributes to these endeavors through involving community members in the conceptualization and measurement of discrimination and historical loss among Latinx/@ immigrants. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

The Influence of Legal Status on Mental Health Outcomes for Immigrants

The study aimed to explore the influence of legal status on mental health outcomes among immigrants, seeking to identify the main themes that characterize the interplay between legal precarity and psychological well-being. This qualitative research employed semi-structured interviews with 28 participants, representing a diverse array of legal statuses, national origins, and experiences. The study focused on capturing the depth and complexity of immigrants' experiences related to their legal status and its impact on their mental health. Thematic analysis was utilized to analyze the data, with a focus on achieving theoretical saturation to ensure the comprehensiveness of the identified themes. Five main themes were identified: Legal Uncertainty, Socioeconomic Impact, Cultural and Identity Challenges, Psychological Well-being, and System Navigation. Each theme comprised various categories and concepts, such as Stress and Anxiety, Employment Challenges, Cultural Dislocation, Trauma and PTSD, and Legal System Navigation, highlighting the multifaceted impact of legal status on mental health. Participants reported significant stress and anxiety due to fears of deportation, employment insecurity, cultural and identity struggles, and challenges in accessing health care and legal services, all of which contribute to adverse mental health outcomes. The study concludes that the legal status of immigrants is a critical determinant of their mental health outcomes, with legal precarity exacerbating stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma. These findings underscore the need for policy reforms, targeted mental health services, and supportive interventions that address the unique challenges faced by immigrants. By understanding and mitigating the impacts of legal uncertainty and socioeconomic, cultural, and systemic barriers, it is possible to improve the mental health and well-being of immigrant populations.

797. Investigation of HIV Clusters Among Hispanic/Latino Gay or Bisexual Men in Metro Atlanta, Georgia

Abstract Background In Metro Atlanta, Georgia, annual HIV diagnoses among Hispanic/Latino (H/L) adolescents and adults have increased since 2014 (Figure 1), and four HIV molecular clusters, consisting primarily of Hispanic/Latino gay or bisexual men and other men who have sex with men (HLGBM), were identified in 2021. In March 2022, the Georgia Department of Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and four health districts of Metro Atlanta (Fulton, Gwinnett, DeKalb, and Cobb) launched an investigation to characterize the clusters, assess barriers to accessing HIV care and prevention services, and inform improvements to service delivery. Methods We described the four clusters using HIV surveillance data. We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 29 HLGBM and 28 providers through purposive sampling. Iterative analyses were conducted daily, comparing findings across interviews to identify commonly mentioned barriers to accessing HIV care and prevention services. Results The four clusters varied in size (5–42 members) and proportion of H/L members (41–100%); one cluster included members reporting injection drug use (14%) (Table 1). Viral suppression among cluster members was high across clusters (87–100%). Overarching reported barriers to accessing medical services included lack of culturally and linguistically concordant services, fear of deportation, transportation, and financial barriers (Table 2). LGBTQ and HIV stigma, low STD/HIV awareness, low access to primary care and HIV screening in primary and urgent care settings, and limited community outreach and marketing were common barriers to accessing HIV prevention services. For pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) specifically, fear of being perceived as promiscuous, limited PrEP knowledge, and concerns with side effects were barriers. Navigating the healthcare system was noted as the primary challenge in HIV care. Conclusion The investigation of four clusters affecting HLGBM identified opportunities to improve access to HIV prevention and PrEP services for this population. State and local partners are planning cluster response activities, including ways to provide low-barrier culturally and linguistically concordant services (Table 3). Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures.

Język odziedziczony a język przodków na pograniczach

In this article, I will deal with the issues of the in herited language and the language of ancestors in the Ukrainian-Romanian, Ukrainian-Moldavian and Ukrainian-Russian borderlands. The aim of this article is to show the sociopolitical influences on the transmission of the language in Polish families. Examples of the use, language transmission and learning of the Polish language in the aforementioned border lands will be shown as an example. The criteria for defining Polish as the ancestral language or the language inherited by the interlocutors emerged during the analysis of the linguistic biographies of my interlocutors. These theoretical considerations were based on practical material. The inheritance of the Polish language of two interlocutors was influenced, among others, by being born in a Polish family, close neighborhood, which also spoke Polish; maintaining Polish traditions; practicing religion. The lack of transmission of the Polish language among the interviewee, who was born in the Luhansk region, was due to the fact that her parents did not speak Polish, the father hid his Polish origin, fear of repression and de-portation, living in an urban environment, and lack of contacts with people of Polish origin. This interlocutor started to learn the Polish language as an adult as the language of her new identity, and what is very important, she instilled in children and grandchildren a sense of Polish identification.

Stratified Entry into Illegality: How Immigration Policy Shapes Being Undocumented

Abstract Research shows that legal status is a critical axis of stratification in the United States but is less clear about the variably permeable boundaries around illegality and the systematic ways in which migrants are channeled into and out of the liminal states of illegality. Drawing on analysis of 105 interviews with a diverse group of undocumented or formerly undocumented immigrant young adults in New York City collected in 2018–19, we introduce the concept of stratified entry into illegality to illustrate how migrants’ nationality, race, and socioeconomic status shape their mode of entry which, in turn, shapes opportunities to adjust legal status. Our comparison of migrants who entered the United States without inspection and those who overstayed visas reveals key differences in experience of illegality, including fear of deportation and future plans. We discuss the role of mandatory re-entry bans and hardship waivers on immigrants’ relationships, the “fix” of advance parole for the more privileged Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, and the gendered and racialized risks and pressures faced by visa overstayers seeking to adjust their status through marriage. Our comparison of undocumented young adults with and without DACA across mode of entry demonstrates how DACA serves as a class- and race-based filtering mechanism. We embed analysis of stratified entry into illegality within the US immigration regime and a global regime of racialized criminalization of migrants rooted in colonial and neocolonial relations of power and extraction.

COVID-19 Vaccination in Migrants and Refugees: Lessons Learnt and Good Practices.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated inequalities between low- and high-income countries. Within the latter, a greater impact is seen in the poorest and most vulnerable people, including refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants. They all may experience poor access to quality healthcare or have suboptimal health-seeking behavior, distrust of governments, or fear of detention and deportation if seeking healthcare. Some refugees and migrants may face multiple barriers to vaccination and access to health systems that are relevant to the administration of COVID-19 vaccines, despite the growing inclusion of these populations in public health policies. Several good practices have emerged to ensure the inclusion of these populations in vaccination and healthcare for COVID-19 globally. However, inequalities persist between high-income and low-/middle-income populations. The inequalities in COVID-19 vaccination reflect the already existing ones in common health services worldwide. Further efforts are necessary to reduce such disparities, to protect the vulnerable, and, by extension, the general population. The initiatives organized, both at global and local levels, to support vaccination campaigns represent a notable example of how complex multilevel structures, such as health systems, as well as limited resource health services, can successfully face, even during a health emergency, the challenges related to global health issues.

Examining Avoidance, Victimization Risk, and Perceptions of Community Safety in Latinx Communities

Latinx adults are increasingly avoiding formal authorities, local services, and community engagement out of fear of victimization and deportation. Increased distrust and fear of authorities threaten to erode individual and community feelings of safety. While crime prevention scholarship identifies community efficacy, local engagement, and bonds to formal institutions as critical components to creating safety within local communities, there is little research to date on how avoidance in response to victimization impacts these processes. This study utilized data from 53 qualitative interviews of Latinx adults to understand the ways that bias victimization and discrimination alter feelings of community safety. Participants expressed distrust of formal institutions and decreased community engagement. They also leveraged informal networks like friends and family, emphasizing the nuanced impact of avoidance on community organization.

Anti‐immigration policies of the trump administration: A review of Latinx mental health and resilience in the face of structural violence

AbstractPoor mental health outcomes are a growing concern among Latinx children and adults in the U.S. While existing research has documented risk factors to these mental health disparities, such as barriers to healthcare access and fear of deportation, less is known about the impacts of Former President Trump's anti‐immigrant rhetoric and federal efforts to curb migration on Latinx mental health. Thus, the purpose of this review was two‐fold: (1) to review the empirical literature for any quantitative or qualitative findings discussing the relationship between federal immigration policies passed under the Trump administration and mental health outcomes of the Latinx community and (2) to understand the range of resilience factors that may have facilitated Latinx youth and adults to overcome these sociopolitical changes. Utilizing a modified version of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta‐Analyses guidelines, we conducted a narrative review of 21 empirical articles. The review characterizes literature across the fields of psychology, counseling, social justice, and law in terms of population of interest, relevant immigration policy, key mental health findings, and culturally sensitive contributions to either the Minority Stress Model or Social Ecological Resilience. Based on our findings, we argue that immigration enforcement served as a unique stressor to Latinx wellbeing and particularly increased rates of negative emotional experiences and internalizing symptoms. However, culturally rooted resilience factors, such as Luchando Adelante (e.g., striving forward despite uncertainty), helped bolster against relevant adversity. We conclude with an argument for the importance of immigration policy reform for improved mental health outcomes in the Latinx community.

Reproductive injustice in Britain: punishing illegalized migrant women from the Global South and separating families

ABSTRACT This article aims to show how race, gender, class, and other identity markers intersect to oppress, control and discipline poor and illegalized single migrant mothers and pregnant women from the Global South. The article draws on evidence from three ethnographic studies conducted between 2008 and 2017 to shed light on the predicaments of mothers and pregnant women excluded from the welfare safety-net, who were flying under the radar due to the fear of deportation. It shows how (cr)immigration controls render women vulnerable to victimization and harm. The second part of the article addresses imprisonment and punishment, treatment by the criminal justice system, and separation from children placed in foster care. The evidence strongly suggests that controls in Britain disrupt the core principles of reproductive justice, including reproductive autonomy and health, and to parent children in a safe and healthy environment without fear of retaliation from the government. This is being termed as racist-gendered state violence.

Perceptions of the U.S. Police Among Latin-American Immigrants: A Bifocal Lens View

The current study aimed to identify Latin-American immigrants’ bifocal lens views of the U.S. police and compare them to their contact experiences with their home-country police. We performed semi-structured interviews with twenty-one Latin-American immigrants who have resided in the Birmingham metropolitan area in Alabama. An inductive analysis approach was employed to analyze the qualitative data. The results showed that the Latin-American immigrants’ direct contact experience with the U.S. police has mainly been positive, but they still felt targeted. Even if their indirect experiences lead them to perceive a violent and biased image of the U.S. police force, participants appreciated the U.S. police as honest and not corrupt. Besides, while most participants expressed willingness to report crimes, they simultaneously recognized that other Latin-American immigrants would not feel comfortable reporting crimes due to the fear of deportation. Finally, we found that the perception of the U.S. police among Latin-American immigrants was primarily the result of the juxtaposition of the U.S. police's professionalism against their home-country police. We further discuss policy implications and study limitations in this study.

Advocating for Equitable Healthcare for the Undocumented Immigrant.

Despite the healthcare community's increased efforts to reduce health disparities in the United States, undocumented immigrants (UIs) remain one of the highest at-risk populations. Health and public policies, societal and healthcare worker bias, and fear of deportation are among barriers to healthcare access, resulting in increasingly poor health and health outcomes. Christian nurses, guided by biblical principles and the American Nurses Association's Code of Ethics for Nurses, can advocate for UIs' healthcare needs by supporting and promoting more inclusive institutional and government policies.

Nos Quieren Sacar para Fuera: Older Undocumented Immigrants’ Perceptions of Living in the United States

Abstract Informed by the ecological perspective, this study explored the ways in which macrosystemic influences interact with other systems and influence Latinx undocumented older adults—specifically, the obstacles and barriers they have faced while living in the United States. Thirty Latinx undocumented older adults (between 55 and 73 years old) participated in in-depth interviews. Four main themes captured participants’ experiences: (1) unfulfilled aspirations; (2) social inequities; (3) fear, uncertainty, and threat of deportation; and (4) good immigrant ideology. Participants migrated to the United States in search of better opportunities; while they may have been able to secure jobs, they were limited by their status to achieve other dreams and aspirations. Participants reported that they lack the rights and privileges granted by citizenship. Their precarious status and the policy climates preclude them from feeling safe in the United States, and they fear detection and deportation. They shared that they hope to adjust their status and engage in best behavior as a sign of respect and to safeguard their future in this country. Several participants remarked that it is clear they are not welcomed. These are critical issues that demand attention at a policy and practice level.

Göç ve Bağımlılık: Suriyeli Göçmenlerde Madde Kullanım Profili

In the literature, the experience of migration and its effects are considered as a risk in terms of addiction. This study aims to determine the substance use processes of Syrian immigrants and related risk factors, and to draw attention to the relationship between migration and addiction. In this context, first of all, the literature on the relationship between migration and addiction was examined, and then a field study was carried out. In the research, phenomenology, one of the qualitative research designs, was used and interviews were conducted with 4 substance users living in Bursa, who were selected by purposive sampling method. The study group is male and they have traumatic memories (such as the death of family members, imprisonment, being under siege, witnessing explosions, etc.) related to the civil war. According to the findings, the factors that encourage substance use are curiosity, influence of friends, the presence of substance users among relatives, anxiety about future and family problems. It has been observed that health problems, legal problems, family problems, anger control problems and financial problems are experienced as a result of substance use and social support resources are not sufficient, especially in this regard. Although they had the motivation to be treated, it was observed that they could not continue the treatment processes due to the language barrier, fear of deportation, and lack of information about treatment. Based on the findings, it is recommended to establish social assistance programs for immigrants, inform them about the treatment processes, and carry out studies to remove the barriers to their access to treatment.

Fear of Deportation and Associations with Mental Health Among Michigan Residents of Middle Eastern & North African Descent.

Anti-immigrant rhetoric and immigration policy enforcement in the United States over the last 2 decades has increased attention to fear of deportation as a determinant of poor health. We describe its association with mental health outcomes among Middle East and North African (MENA) residents of Michigan. Using a convenience sample of MENA residents in Michigan (n = 397), we conducted bivariate and multiple variable regression to describe the prevalence of deportation worry and examine the relationship between deportation worry and depressive symptoms (PHQ-4 scores). We found that 33% of our sample worried a loved one will be deported. Deportation worry was associated with worse mental health (p < 0.01). Immigration policies are health policies and deportation worry impacts mental and behavioral health.

Nutrition Assessment in Student-Run Clinics Serving Hispanic/Latinx Patients

Background: The patients of student-run clinics, especially Hispanic/Latinx patients, are at a disproportionately high risk for chronic disease due to the negative impacts of the social determinants of health, including barriers to obtaining healthcare, ranging from lack of financial resources to fear of deportation. Nutrition services are pivotal in providing effective, holistic healthcare for this patient population seeking care at student-run clinics. The purpose of this review is to examine how nutrition assessment is conducted at student-run clinics and to determine if the nutrition assessments are culturally tailored.&#x0D; Methods: Three scientific databases were searched using keywords focused on the concept of nutrition assessment in student-run clinics serving the Hispanic/Latinx population. The articles generated were reviewed by 4 independent reviewers to determine key elements related to nutrition assessment and/or nutrition services provided in student-run, free, or community clinics, with attention to addressing social and cultural barriers addressed by the clinic.&#x0D; Results: A search of the literature related to nutrition services at student-run clinics yielded 3 results for nutrition assessment of the Hispanic/Latinx population in student-run, free, or community clinics. Several articles presented research on health behavioral counseling and food insecurity screening, but few studies were conducted specifically on nutrition assessment, especially for the Hispanic/Latinx population.&#x0D; Conclusions: The current assessment tools have widespread use in nutrition assessment; however, they are insufficient for the distinctive characteristics of the Hispanic or Latinx population being served in a student-run clinic. Including dietetics students into a student-run clinic, if plausible, and/or a culturally sensitive guided nutrition assessment tool for students would be of benefit to adequately address the relevant social determinants of health in the nutrition assessment of patients at student-run clinics.

Validation of the Family Fear of Deportation Scale for youth.

This study reports on the psychometric properties of a new instrument to assess family fear of deportation in two versions (binary and polytomous response options). The impact of fear of deportation extends beyond foreign-born youth to U.S. citizen children in families with unauthorized members, and negatively affects their academic achievement and their physical, mental, and behavioral health. A measure assessing levels of fear of deportation among youth is lacking. Participants were first- and second-generation Latino immigrant youth (N = 145 in Study 1 and N = 107 in Study 2). Item response theory (IRT), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), correlation analysis, and reliability tests were used to assess the scale's psychometric properties. The results supported a five-item binary version and a six-item polytomous version of the scale. Both demonstrated excellent model fit, good reliability, and criterion validity. The six-item polytomous version is slightly more parsimonious than the five-item binary version scale, has better internal consistency, and captures a modestly wider range of the construct. The binary version may be preferable for immigrant youth who prefer straightforward response options. Researchers and practitioners can use either version of the Family Fear of Deportation Scale with confidence to assess deportation-related fear among Latino immigrant youth.

The Intergenerational Health Effects of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program on Families With Mixed Immigration Status.

Children of undocumented mothers with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) have better mental health outcomes than children of DACA-ineligible mothers. This study explored the intergenerational health effects of DACA on undocumented parents and their children in families with mixed immigration status. Forty-eight semistructured interviews were selected from a study on life transitions of 50 undocumented immigrants. Prevalent themes related to the intergenerational health effects of DACA on undocumented immigrants were identified through thematic analysis of the transcripts, and quotes were selected to illustrate themes in the participants' own words. Thirty-three of the 48 respondents were DACA recipients. Twenty-six respondents were parents with a total of 61 children, 73.8% of whom were US-born. Four themes were identified: 1) DACA recipients reported decreased familial stress because of protection from deportation and increased access to health care, 2) both DACA and DACA-ineligible parents prioritized regular pediatrician visits for their children, but DACA-ineligible parents suffered from poor health because of decreased access to health care, 3) adults with DACA mirror the health behaviors of their DACA-ineligible parents, and 4) the poor health access of DACA-ineligible family members appeared to stress DACA recipients and US-born children in these families. DACA decreases children's fear of parental deportation and loss. However, the suffering of DACA-ineligible parents and family members may stress their children and influence their health-seeking behavior in adulthood. Health care access for all members of immigrant families needs to be examined, since their well-being impacts the well-being of their children.

Irregular Migrant Workers and Health: A Qualitative Study of Health Status and Access to Healthcare of the Filipino Domestic Workers in Mainland China.

In public health research, the health issues of irregular and vulnerable migrant populations remain under-explored. In particular, while mainland China has become a new and popular job-seeking destination for Filipino domestic workers (FDWs), the health status of FDWs and their access to healthcare have been invisible to public and academic concerns. This paper fills this lacuna by conducting a qualitative study that investigates FDWs’ self-reported health status and their healthcare-seeking behaviors. The results show that: (1) respondents do not report significant abusive and exploitative experience because the scarcity of FDWs in China in relation to the high demand enables them a certain degree of agency in labour market; (2) while FDWs do report some health problems, they tend to resort to self-medication and food-healing; (3) the main factors influencing health-seeking behavior include the fear of deportation, language gaps, the lack of knowledge of the local healthcare system and dependence on co-ethnic networks which serves as a double-edged sword; (4) these factors also lead to hesitation in health-seeking choice between public and private hospitals, which sometimes result in delayed treatment. This paper contributes to revealing the health conditions of FDWs in mainland China and calls for more inclusive health policy to enroll foreign domestic workers into the local health system in China.