Many laws or policies have an effect on the health of certain populations that are not obvious at the outset.  It is important for legislators to bear this in mind and consider the potential health effects of their legislation.

Grand Valley State University

Many laws/policies directed at unauthorized immigrants are intended to make life so difficult for these immigrants that they would be forced to leave the country.  However, these laws and policies actually impact the health and wellness of both authorized and unauthorized immigrants, as well as non-immigrant Latinx folks.  For example, Latinx folks who perceived themselves to be in a state with harsher anti-immigration policies experienced poorer physical and mental health outcomes than those who did not.  However, protective laws and policies like DACA had a protective effect on the mental health of eligible Latinx populations.

Laws/policies impacting the health of immigrants

Taylor, C. J. (2019).  Health consequences of laws and public policies that target, or protect, marginalized populations. Sociology Compass, 14, 1-13.


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