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Omnibus or Ominous immigration laws? Immigration policy and mental health of the Hispanic population

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  • Tianyuan Luo
  • Genti Kostandini

Abstract

This study examines the impact of Omnibus Immigration Laws on the mental health of the Hispanic populations in the U.S. We use a Difference‐in‐Differences framework and data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the 2000–2016 period that contains information on more than 400 thousand Hispanics residing in the U.S. We find that the most stringent provision, namely, “show me your papers” laws, adversely affects the mental health of Hispanics and contributes to an increase of 12%–16% in the number of unhealthy mental days and an increase of 13%–18% in the probability of having frequent mental distress in the states with “show me your papers” laws. OIL provisions that enforced the use of E‐Verify or limited the use of public benefits to unauthorized immigrants did not have any effect on mental health. The study also examines (1) police stops, (2) physical health, insurance, and employment status, (3) co‐ethnic density, and (4) immigration enforcement awareness as potential mechanisms that could lead to a deterioration in the mental health of Hispanics. The evidence indicates their vulnerability to strict immigration enforcement. The social and public health cost should be carefully evaluated when formulating and implementing immigration policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Tianyuan Luo & Genti Kostandini, 2023. "Omnibus or Ominous immigration laws? Immigration policy and mental health of the Hispanic population," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(1), pages 90-106, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:hlthec:v:32:y:2023:i:1:p:90-106
    DOI: 10.1002/hec.4611
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    2. repec:ags:aaea22:335611 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Shrestha, Samyam, 2024. "Seasonal Labor Shortage and the Production and Trade of Labor-Intensive Goods: Evidence from U.S. Agriculture," 2024 Annual Meeting, July 28-30, New Orleans, LA 343996, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.

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