The current climate of increased immigration enforcement has led many immigrants to live in fear of deportation. One of the side effects of that fear is an unwillingness to seek medical care, even if it means putting their own health, or that of their family members, at risk. A recent New York Times article chronicles the weekly travels of a North Carolina doctor who delivers prescription medications to families who are afraid to pick them up. Since most of the doctor’s patients do not have driver’s licenses, they no longer take the risk of driving without a license, as they know a simple traffic stop could lead to removal from the country. Across the country, medical clinics that primarily serve immigrants have reported a sharp downturn in appointments and immigrants seeking medical care. A survey estimates that as many of two-thirds of immigrants have become reluctant to seek medical care, even in the case of an emergency, given the current political climate on immigration. The impact of a lack of health care is substantial. For poorer Latinos, who traditionally suffer from higher rates of obesity, diabetes, liver disease, and high blood pressure, the ability to get better will decline substantially without much-needed healthcare. Likewise, those who are not tested and treated for infectious diseases will be far more likely to transmit those diseases to others. And not surprisingly, the overwhelming fear of potential deportation, for children and adults alike, is manifesting itself in physical symptoms of anxiety and depression, such as headaches, stomachaches, dizziness, insomnia, and shortness of breath. Given this crisis, it is important to know that there is medical care available for immigrants that they can seek without fear. Under federal law, for instance, hospitals that receive federal funding are required to provide emergency care, at least to the point at which the patient is stabilized, regardless as to whether the patient has an illegal immigration status or has health insurance. Absent an emergency, however, access to routine healthcare, no matter how necessary, is far less certain. In some areas, free or low-cost clinics serve patients without regard to immigration status. However, the reality is that these community-based clinics cannot even begin to serve the daily healthcare needs of the immigrant population in the nation today. Obtaining medical care in the current political climate can be difficult, but it is essential to get the care that is needed when a sudden injury or illness arises. Landerholm Immigration, A.P.C., knows federal immigration law and has the experience to guide you and advocate on your behalf throughout any type of deportation proceeding, no matter what the allegations may be. We are familiar with the wide range of defenses that are available to individuals facing deportation, and how to build the strongest defense that is available to you, based on the evidence relevant to your case. Contact your California deportation defense lawyers today, and discover what we can do for you.
