Researchers and health care providers say these enforcement actions are posing twin threats to the health care system: Patients are afraid to show up to medical appointments, and foreign-born workers are being detained, deported or losing their visa statuses.
A recent New York Times/KFF survey found many immigrants are postponing health care, whether they’re documented or not. Nearly half of undocumented adults surveyed said they have skipped medical care since January 2025 over concerns about immigration status, and 14% of immigrants with legal status are also avoiding the doctor. Four out of 10 immigrants overall — including naturalized U.S. citizens — say this fear is negatively impacting their health.
At the same time, foreign-born health care workers — who make up an estimated 20% of the health care workforce — report living in a state of fear, for themselves and their patients. We heard from immigrant health care workers in 10 states. Here are a few key takeaways from those conversations: [article continues]