The Impact of Changes to the Public Charge Rule on Undocumented Immigrants Living in the U.S.

While many commentators have examined the impact of changes to the public charge rule on legal immigrants, few have explored the impact on the undocumented population. The authors of this paper aim to fill this gap. Through a survey methodology involving 516 undocumented respondents in San Diego County, the authors show that substantial numbers of undocumented immigrants would refrain from accessing health services, including emergency medical care, preventive healthcare services, and free immunization services, both for themselves and their children. Many would withdraw their children from free or reduced-price school meals. The authors also suggest that undocumented immigrants may want to qualify for a future legalization program and are fearful that use of such non-cash benefits may disqualify them from such a program. The authors also note that the observed effects would be even greater if the final rule becomes official policy, as the survey instrument referred to a “proposed policy,” rather than an actual change.

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