Legal Relief for Children in Immigrant Families: A Mixed-Methods Study

Natalie Wichelt, Kenny Torres, Gabriela de la Vega, Julie M. Linton and Kimberly Montez
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Natalie Wichelt: Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
Kenny Torres: Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest Baptist Health, Downtown Health Plaza Clinic, 1200 N Martin Luther King, Jr Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
Gabriela de la Vega: Office of the Dean of Students, Wake Forest University, 1834 Wake Forest Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27109, USA
Julie M. Linton: Office of Student Affairs and Admissions, University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, Department of Pediatrics, Prisma Health Children’s Hospital Upstate, 607 Grove Rd, Greenville, SC 29605, USA
Kimberly Montez: Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 7, 1-12

Abstract: Objective: Immigration status is a known social driver of health. Little research exists on addressing concerns about immigration status in primary care. The objective of this study is to understand the experiences of immigrant families that received a clinical-community intervention to address immigration-related concerns. Methods: We conducted a mixed-methods study: an embedded experimental design study. We implemented an immigration-focused legal needs screening tool and referral intervention at one academic primary care clinic in January 2018. Caregivers who screened positive for immigration-related concerns and were referred to a local immigration law firm were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview. Interviews were recorded, de-identified, transcribed, and systematically coded using an inductive content analysis approach. A modified constant comparative method was used to iteratively review codes, identify emerging themes, and resolve differences through consensus. Results: Nineteen caregivers reported immigration-related legal concerns, seven of whom were interviewed. Most (84.2%) were mothers, identified as Hispanic (94.7%), were from Mexico (52.6%), and reported persecution and fear of returning to their country of origin (57.9%). In interviews, we identified three major themes: (1) families were motivated to immigrate due to mental health trauma and persecution; (2) families sought legal services for several immigration-related concerns; and (3) families experienced challenges in navigating the legal system, with which clinics may assist. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the need for immigration-related services in primary care settings and the feasibility and potential benefits of implementing a legal screening and referral intervention.

Keywords: children in immigrant families; health equity; legal problems; primary care (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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