This interpretive phenomenological study explored the health care-seeking experiences of undocumented Mexican immigrant women. Interviews and observations were conducted with 26 uninsured Mexican immigrant women with a chronic illness residing in California. Participant narratives revealed that their health care seeking experiences were often characterized by a lack of recognition of their human plight and devaluation of their personhood. Both structural and social barriers to care exist for immigrant women. Modifying current policies to allow undocumented immigrants more options to access care could help reduce stigma, reduce suffering, and encourage clinicians to recognize their humanity and their legitimate medical needs. Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

perceived discrimination barriers to health care undocumented women Phenomenology Immigrant invisibility Recognition Chronic illness

medically uninsured nursing psychological aspect perceptive discrimination human middle aged Personhood chronic disease Mexico ethnology Discrimination (Psychology) interview United States Humans Hispanic California Interviews as Topic Emigrants and Immigrants case report female Social Stigma Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Article organization and management migration patient attitude Patient Acceptance of Health Care patient Nurse-Patient Relations Mexican Americans nurse patient relationship attitude to health Health Services Accessibility documentation health care delivery