Immigrant Health

As an organization committed to strengthening the nation’s public health systems and achieving health equity, APHA supports policies that promote health regardless of an individual’s citizenship status.

Recent U.S. immigration policies have led to substantial fears among immigrant and non immigrant communities alike that are setting the stage for a public health crisis. Recent executive orders and immigration detention and ICE activity have put strain on immigrants and their communities. These policies and practices threaten the health and well-being of millions of lawfully present immigrants and those seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Know your rights & learn how you can protect your immigrant neighbors

Check out our policy statements related to immigration for research based policy recommendations:

• APHA Opposes Separation of Immigrant and Refugee Children and Families at U.S. Borders 
• Preventing Violations of Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights in Immigration Detention  
• Advancing the Health of Refugees and Displaced Persons
• A Call to Investigate and Prevent Further Violations of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Immigration Detention Centers
• Health and Human Rights Violations at the US Mexico Border 

Check out our statements on how our government can protect immigrant health: 

• Organization comments to U.S. Department of Homeland Security on updating the public charge rule to protect immigrant communities' use of social safety net programs like Medicaid and housing programs
• APHA's statement applauding President Biden's actions to reunify families separated at the U.S./Mexico border, rescind public charge rule
• APHA’s statement opposing the administration’s finalized public charge rule
• APHA’s comments (PDF) opposing the U.S. Department of Housing and Development's proposed rule, "Verification of Eligible Status," which would restrict or eliminate access to public and other subsidized housing for mixed-status immigrant families that have members who are undocumented or otherwise ineligible for housing assistance
• APHA’s news release seeking an immediate, thorough and independent investigation into a nurse’s whistleblower complaint about a Georgia immigration detention facility alleging forced mass hysterectomies.
      Actions we have taken to support immigrant health: 
• Public health brief (PDF) filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York highlighting the negative public health impacts of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's final rule, "Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds" (PDF)
• Organization letter supporting H.R. 3451 (PDF), the Humane Enforcement and Legal Protections for Separated Children Act and H.R. 3452, the Help Separated Families Act
• Health organization brief (PDF) filed in the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Department of Homeland Security vs. Regents of the University of California challenging the administration's decision to repeal the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program

Caucus on Immigrant and Refugee Health

As an organization committed to strengthening the nation’s public health systems and achieving health equity, APHA supports policies that encourage positive health behaviors and promote access to health services, regardless of an individual’s citizenship status.

Recent U.S. immigration policies have led to substantial fears among immigrant communities that are driving people away from accessing basic health services, setting the stage for a public health crisis. Similarly, the practice of separating families at U.S. border crossings and the conditions in which they are being held is cause for great concern. These policies and practices threaten the health and well-being of millions of lawfully present immigrants and those seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border.