Poll: Immigration fears tied to delayed medical care, skipped visits

A new national survey finds that immigrants are experiencing higher levels of fear, worsening health and more frequent delays in medical care during President Donald J. Trump’s second term.

The “KFF/New York Times Survey of Immigrants,” released in mid-November, underscores the impact that stepped-up enforcement policies are having on patients’ access to care, insurance coverage and overall well-being for immigrant families.

The survey of 1,805 adults living in the U.S. who were born outside the country was conducted from August through October 2025 and shows that concerns about deportation, detention and the loss of legal status are shaping health behaviors and stress levels.

Roughly four in ten immigrant adults say they have experienced negative health effects due to immigration-related worries this year, including anxiety, trouble sleeping, declining mental health or worsening chronic conditions.

Among likely undocumented immigrants, that figure climbed to nearly eight in ten (77%).

Rising fear, worsening health and disruptions in care delivery

For many respondents, stepped-up immigration enforcement and ongoing policy changes are feeding daily stress. Nearly half of all immigrant adults surveyed — and a majority of Hispanic and Black respondents — reported at least one negative health impact tied to immigration-related fears.
The share was higher among lower-income households, immigrant parents and those with limited English proficiency.

Parents reported emotional spillover onto their children. Roughly one in five parents said their children experienced sleep disturbances, anxiety or behavioral issues due to fears tied to family immigration status.

The figure rose to nearly half among likely undocumented parents.

Skipped appointments and delayed care

One of the most notable shifts highlighted in the survey: more immigrants are avoiding health systems entirely.

Twenty-nine percent of immigrant adults said they skipped or postponed needed care in the last year, up from 22% in 2023.

Many cited cost or lack of insurance coverage, but nearly one in five said immigration concerns were a reason they stayed away. About half of uninsured respondents reported delaying care altogether.

That hesitation extends to children. Three in ten immigrant parents said at least one child missed, delayed or skipped care in the last year due to cost, immigration-related fears or difficulty finding appointments.

The share rose to nearly six in ten among parents categorized as likely undocumented, with almost half saying fears tied to immigration status were a factor.

Roughly 14% of immigrant adults overall — and nearly half of likely undocumented respondents — said they or a family member avoided seeking medical care since January because they did not want to draw attention to their immigration status.

These reports were more common among uninsured adults, parents and those without a regular source of care.

Fear of sharing information with immigration authorities

Concerns over privacy and data sharing also play a significant role, according to the survey.

Roughly half of immigrant adults said they are somewhat or very concerned that hospitals, health officials or clinicians could share their immigration information with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Among likely undocumented immigrants, nearly eight in ten expressed that fear.

These concerns intensified in June, after the Trump administration began sharing noncitizen Medicaid enrollee data with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for immigration enforcement purposes.

Although a federal court later halted that practice in the 20 states that filed a lawsuit, the move likely deepened fears about seeking care.

Coverage gaps widen under looming policy changes

The survey demonstrates persistent insurance gaps. Fifteen percent of immigrant adults report being uninsured — a rate far higher than among U.S.-born adults.

Uninsured rates rose to 46% among likely undocumented respondents and 21% among lawfully present immigrants, compared to just 7% of naturalized citizens.

Immigrant parents are also more likely to report uninsured children. About one in seven said at least one child lacks coverage, a figure that climbed to more than a quarter among likely undocumented parents.

Researchers warn that the uninsured rate may rise further in 2026 and beyond, as the 2025 tax and budget law restricts access to Medicaid and Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans for many lawfully present immigrants.

Cost pressures intensify

Financial concerns are intensifying as well, with more than one in three immigrant adults saying they or someone in their household struggled to pay medical bills this year — a number up sharply from 2023 — with the rate soaring to 62% among uninsured immigrants.

The survey also found more people reported trouble paying for rent, food and other basic needs.

Community clinics remain a lifeline

Despite the fear and uncertainty, most immigrant adults said they have a regular source of care. Nearly a third rely on community health centers, especially those who are likely undocumented, enrolled in Medicaid, Hispanic, lower income or have limited English proficiency.

These federally funded clinics serve medically underserved communities and provide care regardless of ability to pay.

However, clinics may face mounting obstacles. Medicaid eligibility restrictions in the 2025 budget law, along with a separate Trump administration policy restricting access to community health centers for undocumented and some lawfully present immigrants, could further limit availability of services.

Hard choices in daily life

Health care access is where many of these changes are felt most directly. The survey shows that roughly 30% of immigrant adults have avoided daily activities — including going to work, traveling, attending church or taking a child to school — because they did not want to draw attention to their immigration status.

More than half reported either beginning to carry proof of immigration status, developing plans in case a family member is detained, or considering leaving the country altogether.

When asked whether they feel angry or afraid about the current direction of immigration enforcement, half of immigrant respondents said yes. A majority said they worry that they or a family member could face detention, deportation, status revocation or family separation.

Mental health concerns were particularly high among those who were most worried about enforcement. Three-quarters of that group reported stress, anxiety, sleep disruption or worsening physical symptoms tied directly to immigration-related fears.

Looking ahead

The authors of the survey note that fear and reduced use of health services could contribute to worse health outcomes over time. With immigrants making up a significant share of the nation’s workforce — including in health care — worsening health among immigrants could have broader spillover effects.

Given the political environment and pending policy changes, the report suggests that immigrant families will likely face still-increasing difficulty navigating coverage hurdles, cost pressures and care access.

For primary care practices that care for immigrant communities, the survey points to an environment defined by anxiety, hesitation to seek care and larger gaps that may contribute to more acute clinical needs if early interventions are delayed.