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. 2022 Feb;24(1):1-9.
doi: 10.1007/s10903-021-01314-4. Epub 2022 Jan 11.

Latinx Immigrants' Legal Concerns About SARS-CoV-2 Testing and COVID-19 Diagnosis and Treatment

Julia Lechuga  1 , Carol L Galletly  2 , Laura R Glasman  2 , Julia B Dickson-Gomez  3 , Timothy L McAuliffe  2
Affiliations

Latinx Immigrants' Legal Concerns About SARS-CoV-2 Testing and COVID-19 Diagnosis and Treatment

Julia Lechuga et al. J Immigr Minor Health. 2022 Feb.

Abstract

Immigration concerns can deter immigrants from utilizing healthcare services. We examined Latinx immigrants' immigration concerns related to COVID-19 testing and treatment. A multi-state sample of 336 US Latinx immigrants (documented and undocumented) completed a cross-sectional online survey in Spanish. Factor analysis informed the construction of a COVID-19 Immigration Concerns Scale. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine associations between the scale and indices of perceived immigration risk and healthcare access and utilization. Concerns clustered around two factors: (1) providers' release of information to immigration authorities and drawing government attention; and (2) eligibility for COVID-19 services and the immigration ramifications of using these. The regression equation highlighted strong associations between these and perceived instability of immigration laws and enforcement concerns after controlling for healthcare access and utilization. COVID-19-related immigration concerns were substantial and multifaceted. Perceived instability of laws was strongly related to concerns but remains understudied.

Keywords: Infectious disease; Latinx immigrants; US immigration law and policy.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interests were reported by the authors.

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