Undocumented populations face barriers when they seek medical services. Restrictive policies and anti-immigrant stigma are barriers to healthcare that contribute to health disparities. This was very apparent in the observations made by NM DreamTeam organizers, prompting the need to further investigate the experiences of young adults and their families as they navigated the American healthcare system. A partnership developed between the NM DreamTeam UndocuResearch group (which included Vences, De Luna Navarro, Rodriguez, Aranda, and Irazoqoi Ruiz) and assistant professor in counselor education, Dr. Chávez. A community-based participatory research paradigm was employed to gather qualitative interviews to explore critical experiences in healthcare access reported by young adults on behalf of their families. Thirteen interviews were gathered, transcribed, and thematically analyzed using a critical race theory perspective.
Further making this study unique, was the use of community experts, which consisted of other young adults who regularly partook in NM DreamTeam activities, to confirm themes after being sensitized to a critical race framework through a “foot of oppression” activity. Four themes emerged:
1.) emotional and financial stress
2.) fear of exposure
3.) dependence on community health clinics
4.) hospitals as a last resource
This population often struggles to pay out of pocket and is constantly scared of being reported to ICE when seeking healthcare services. Community clinics are considered trustworthy over hospitals which are only used when a family member is in a critical health situation. This study highlights the social determinants of health that impact undocumented young adults and their families.
Chavez, T.A., Vences, S., Irazoqui Ruiz, Y., De Luna NavarroJ.Rodriguez, F., & Aranda, I. (in press). Critical Incidences Experienced by Undocumented Young Adults. Health Equity journal.
