Nursing Outlook
Volume 63, Issue 1, 2015, Pages 86-94

The impact and implications of undocumented immigration on individual and collective health intheUnited States (Article)

Hilfinger Messias D.K.* , McEwen M.M. , Clark L.
  • a College of Nursing and Women's and Gender Studies, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
  • b College of Nursing and Mel and oEnid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
  • c College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States

Abstract

A nation of immigrants, the United States currently has more foreign-born residents than any other country; approximately 28% of these foreign-born residents are undocumented immigrants-individuals who either entered or are currently residing in the country without valid immigration or residency documents. The complex and constantly changing social, political, and economic context of undocumented migration has profound effects on individuals, families, and communities. The lack of demographic and epidemiologic data on undocumented immigrants is a major public health challenge. In this article, we identify multiple dimensions of vulnerability among undocumented persons; examine how undocumentedness impacts health and health care access and utilization; and consider the professional, practice, and policy issues and implications for nurses. © 2015 Elsevier Inc.

Author Keywords

Immigration policy Immigrant health Undocumented immigrants Immigration Undocumentedness

Index Keywords

human health status Emigration and Immigration Health Policy health care policy legislation and jurisprudence United States Health Services Accessibility Humans migration health care delivery
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84923043991&doi=10.1016%2fj.outlook.2014.11.004&partnerID=40&md5=78a0883e49097aadc39ce36b042b9fb9
DOI: 10.1016/j.outlook.2014.11.004
ISSN: 00296554
Cited by: 18
Original Language: English