A qualitative study on the impact of the 2016 US election on the health of immigrant families in Southeast Michigan

Abstract Background Given the anti-immigrant rhetoric and policy proposals by President Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign and afterwards, his election to president in November 2016 and subsequent policy changes has affected immigrant families. In this study, we aim to better underst...

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Main Authors: Paul J. Fleming, William D. Lopez, Hannah Mesa, Raymond Rion, Ellen Rabinowitz, Richard Bryce, Monika Doshi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2019-07-01
Series:BMC Public Health
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-019-7290-3
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author Paul J. Fleming
William D. Lopez
Hannah Mesa
Raymond Rion
Ellen Rabinowitz
Richard Bryce
Monika Doshi
author_facet Paul J. Fleming
William D. Lopez
Hannah Mesa
Raymond Rion
Ellen Rabinowitz
Richard Bryce
Monika Doshi
author_sort Paul J. Fleming
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Given the anti-immigrant rhetoric and policy proposals by President Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign and afterwards, his election to president in November 2016 and subsequent policy changes has affected immigrant families. In this study, we aim to better understand how post-election policy change may have impacted the health and well-being, including health and social service utilization, of Latino immigrants in Southeastern Michigan. Methods We conducted 28 in-depth interviews with frontline staff at two Federally Qualified Health Centers and a non-profit agency. These staff had intimate knowledge of and insights into the lived experiences of the mixed-status immigrant families they serve. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thematically. Results Our findings show three major themes: (1) An increased and pervasive fear of deportation and family separation among mixed-status immigrant clients, (2) The fear of deportation and family separation has resulted in fractures in community cohesion, and (3) Fear of deportation and family separation has had an impact on the healthcare utilization and health-related behaviors of mixed-status families. Staff members report that these three factors have had an impact on physical and mental health of these immigrant clients. Conclusions These results add to previous literature on the effect of immigration policies on the health and provide key insights for interventions to improve the health of immigrants within this socio-political environment.
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spelling doaj.art-b39404cd884d47f5a3c768dd75587a6d2022-12-22T02:58:07ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582019-07-011911910.1186/s12889-019-7290-3A qualitative study on the impact of the 2016 US election on the health of immigrant families in Southeast MichiganPaul J. Fleming0William D. Lopez1Hannah Mesa2Raymond Rion3Ellen Rabinowitz4Richard Bryce5Monika Doshi6Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public HealthDepartment of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public HealthDepartment of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public HealthPackard HealthWashtenaw Health PlanCommunity Health and Social Services (CHASS) CenterDepartment of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public HealthAbstract Background Given the anti-immigrant rhetoric and policy proposals by President Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign and afterwards, his election to president in November 2016 and subsequent policy changes has affected immigrant families. In this study, we aim to better understand how post-election policy change may have impacted the health and well-being, including health and social service utilization, of Latino immigrants in Southeastern Michigan. Methods We conducted 28 in-depth interviews with frontline staff at two Federally Qualified Health Centers and a non-profit agency. These staff had intimate knowledge of and insights into the lived experiences of the mixed-status immigrant families they serve. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thematically. Results Our findings show three major themes: (1) An increased and pervasive fear of deportation and family separation among mixed-status immigrant clients, (2) The fear of deportation and family separation has resulted in fractures in community cohesion, and (3) Fear of deportation and family separation has had an impact on the healthcare utilization and health-related behaviors of mixed-status families. Staff members report that these three factors have had an impact on physical and mental health of these immigrant clients. Conclusions These results add to previous literature on the effect of immigration policies on the health and provide key insights for interventions to improve the health of immigrants within this socio-political environment.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-019-7290-3United StatesMichiganWICTrumpDeportationFQHC
spellingShingle Paul J. Fleming
William D. Lopez
Hannah Mesa
Raymond Rion
Ellen Rabinowitz
Richard Bryce
Monika Doshi
A qualitative study on the impact of the 2016 US election on the health of immigrant families in Southeast Michigan
BMC Public Health
United States
Michigan
WIC
Trump
Deportation
FQHC
title A qualitative study on the impact of the 2016 US election on the health of immigrant families in Southeast Michigan
title_full A qualitative study on the impact of the 2016 US election on the health of immigrant families in Southeast Michigan
title_fullStr A qualitative study on the impact of the 2016 US election on the health of immigrant families in Southeast Michigan
title_full_unstemmed A qualitative study on the impact of the 2016 US election on the health of immigrant families in Southeast Michigan
title_short A qualitative study on the impact of the 2016 US election on the health of immigrant families in Southeast Michigan
title_sort qualitative study on the impact of the 2016 us election on the health of immigrant families in southeast michigan
topic United States
Michigan
WIC
Trump
Deportation
FQHC
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-019-7290-3
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