It is well known that immigrants in the United States have difficulties in terms of the medical services they can receive. This, in particular, is based on fear and misinformation about their immigration status.

One of the recent causes that prevent immigrants from accessing medical services is the political and social changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, which strengthened immigrants’ fears regarding their medical situation.

About 23% legal immigrants and 46% undocumented they don’t have insurance. It is estimated that the immigrant population in the United States is about 22.1 million, which represents 7% of the general population of the country . Legal and undocumented immigrants are included in this category.

According to these same data, one in four children in the United States is the child of immigrant parents. However, immigrants in the United States have the possibility of receiving medical services, regardless of their immigration status.

At the federal and state levels, measures have been established to expand health coverage and access to it for immigrants. Undocumented immigrants can apply for Medicaid and CHIP for health care.

In the first case, Medicaid provides emergency services to immigrants, as long as certain eligibility rules are met. Even pregnant women and children can be covered regardless of their immigration status.

On the other hand, in some states of the country, CHIP funds are used to care for undocumented pregnant women. The Protecting Immigrant Families Foundation establishes some points to take into account so that your rights are not violated.

Immigrants have rights. It does not matter where you were born or your immigration status (asylum, survivor of trafficking, violence, humanitarian immigrants).

Some programs do not affect the country’s public charge . Some of these programs are:

• Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
• Children’s Health Insurance Program
• school lunches
• food banks
• shelters
• Child care assistance

There are laws that protect a person’s privacy . Federal laws ensure that the personal information of those who access a medical or nutritional service, subsidies and other benefits is protected.-Charge-Know-Your-Rights-February-2020-SPANISH.pdf