General Research

Undocumented immigrants are one of the most likely groups in America to avoid medical care in general, mental and physical. We figured out this was because of 4 reasons;

1.  We can assume English is not their first language. Immigrants, undocumented or not, might not be fluent in English and thus be hesitant seek healthcare. A language barrier can be dealt with by interpreters, though they are not always available, as interpreters are only in the hospital for a certain amount of time and for a select few languages. Though this affects physical care as well, mental health care is neigh impossible through a language barrier, something you would also need an interpreter for, which again, are not always available in person. Needless to say it would be hard to understand a doctor whom you do not understand 100%, especially when talking about an important surgery and the like. 

2.  Healthcare expenses are usually covered by health insurance, most likely a plan provided by people's jobs. However, the jobs that are occupied by primarily undocumented immigrants, like agriculture, construction, and cleaning services, often do not come with health insurance benefits, especially if they are not working for any organizations. This means they have to apply for private healthcare, which you might need to show documentation for, or pay for it out of pocket, which would definitely hurt financially. Although good strides have been made in the right direction with the Act that ensures MassHealth coverage for anyone under 21, regardless of immigration status, this Act is only in place in Massachusetts and California, and only for those under 21.

3.  Though hospitals cannot verify your immigration status or allow ICE to detain anyone in a hospital, it is still understandable that undocumented immigrants fear reaching out for medical help in the fear of getting caught. Either they didn't know about the fact that medical and mental health facilities are safe from ICE (around the country), or they are being extra careful to not be found. If people knew they were safe in these facilities, maybe more undocumented immigrants would try to reach out, though with the other reasons present that might still be hard to do.

4. A cultural belief might stigmatize mental health services even further, causing undocumented immigrants, who generally might need it more, to continue to miss out on it. Apart from the stigma already present in US culture, their own beliefs might trivialize it and dismiss it as something not normal. Compounded with the things above, it is not hard to see why most immigrants, undocumented or not, might just avoid health care altogether, both physical and mental.

Sanctuary cities for Undocumented Immigrants in Massachusetts, as of March 15, 2024: 

1. Amherst 

2. Boston

3. Cambridge 

4. Concord

5. Lawrence

6. Newton

7. Northhampton

8. Somerville