Fear of Deportation Leads Migrants to Avoid Vital Medical Care, Experts Warn

A man was found lying on a sidewalk in New York City, clutching his side with a gunshot wound.

Emily Borghard, a social worker distributing supplies to homeless individuals through her nonprofit organization, discovered him and prepared to call emergency services. However, the man pleaded with her not to contact authorities.

Speaking in Spanish, he expressed his fear of deportation if he sought medical help.

Although Borghard explained that hospitals are legally required to provide treatment regardless of immigration status, the man remained terrified.

He warned, 'If I go to the emergency room, it will put me on their radar,' she recalled.

Nationwide, healthcare professionals are increasingly alarmed as individuals with serious health issues—including injuries, chronic diseases, and high-risk pregnancies—are avoiding medical treatment due to fears of immigration enforcement.

Following recent policy shifts that ended protections for sensitive locations such as hospitals and clinics, medical providers report heightened patient anxiety and a surge in missed appointments.

Health experts warn that if this pattern persists, it could lead to widespread public health risks, including untreated infectious diseases, escalating healthcare costs from unmanaged chronic conditions, and severe complications during childbirth when care is delayed.

A survey by a prominent health policy organization found that 31 percent of immigrants reported their own or a family member’s immigration status concerns negatively impacted their health. Additionally, approximately one in five immigrants struggled with eating and sleeping, while nearly one-third experienced increased stress and anxiety.