A national survey released by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that 40% of pediatricians have observed families avoiding medical care due to concerns regarding immigration status. The survey, conducted between April and June 2026, also reported that 30% of pediatricians saw families hesitant to apply for public health services such as Medicaid. Additionally, the study noted that some families are avoiding sending their children to school.
The findings come as the Trump administration implements a policy shift regarding how immigration officials evaluate public benefits. Under a new interpretation, officials deciding on entry or legal residency in the U.S. will consider a wider range of benefits received by applicants or their family members, including Medicare and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Previous administrations had excluded certain benefits from consideration in immigration applications.
Medical professionals and state officials have expressed concern that these enforcement strategies lead to delayed medical treatment. The American Academy of Pediatrics reported instances of parents debating whether to visit clinics due to fears of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. In one reported case in Maryland, a child with asthma required emergency medical evacuation to Washington, D.C., after a parent delayed seeking care due to concerns about being detained.
In response to the policy changes, 22 states and the District of Columbia have filed a joint lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). New York Attorney General Letitia James stated that families should not be forced to forgo support due to fear of deportation. In a statement to NPR, DHS characterized the opposition as an "ideological contortion" by "left-wing leaders" and defended the policy as a measure to prevent the defrauding of taxpayers by "illegal criminals."
For a typical family, these changes mean that a routine pediatric visit or a trip to a local clinic now involves a calculation regarding legal residency status. A person would notice this change when applying for a green card or legal residency, as their use of health and nutrition benefits could now be cited as a reason for denial. Furthermore, pediatricians warn that if families avoid vaccinations due to these fears, the effects could include a higher risk of community-wide outbreaks of preventable diseases, such as measles.
The long-term effects include potential increases in emergency room visits and chronic conditions. Dr. Lee Beers of the American Academy of Pediatrics noted that avoiding care places a greater burden on the health system as a whole by allowing acute issues to worsen. What happens next depends on the outcome of the lawsuit filed by the 22 states and D.C. against the Department of Homeland Security. While the public benefits rule has begun to be considered by immigration officials, the court's decision will determine if the administration can continue to include health and food assistance in residency determinations.