KFF and New York Times Survey Shows 40 Percent of Immigrants Experiencing Negative Health Impacts From Immigration-Related Fears
Widespread Health Crisis Grips Immigrant Communities Under Intensified Enforcement
A comprehensive survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the New York Times reveals a public health emergency unfolding across immigrant communities, with alarming data showing that four in ten immigrant adults overall–and nearly eight in ten likely undocumented immigrants–report experiencing negative health impacts due to immigration-related worries since President Trump took office in January 2025.
The findings paint a stark picture of psychological and physical deterioration among vulnerable populations. Negative health impacts documented in the survey include increased stress, anxiety, and sadness; problems sleeping or eating; and worsening chronic health conditions including diabetes and high blood pressure. The survey represents one of the most comprehensive recent examinations of how federal immigration enforcement shapes health outcomes across diverse immigrant populations.
Children and Families Experiencing Cascading Impacts
The health crisis extends beyond individual immigrants to affect entire families. Among immigrant parents surveyed, approximately one in five reported that their child’s well-being has been negatively impacted since January 2025. These impacts on children include problems sleeping or eating, changes in school performance or attendance, and behavioral problems–suggesting that immigration enforcement anxiety is destabilizing family structures at foundational levels.
The psychological toll appears particularly severe among the most vulnerable populations. Nearly half of lawfully present immigrants (47 percent) and about three in ten naturalized citizens (29 percent) report experiencing at least one significant negative health impact. Among likely undocumented immigrants, the figure jumps to 77 percent.
Coverage Crisis Creates Healthcare Access Barrier
Beyond psychological impacts, the survey documents a crisis in health insurance coverage. According to the KFF/New York Times data, 15 percent of immigrant adults report being uninsured as of 2025. This represents a significant public health vulnerability, with uninsured rates substantially higher among specific populations: 46 percent of likely undocumented immigrants and 21 percent of lawfully present immigrants compared to just 7 percent of naturalized citizens.
Immigrants Avoiding Healthcare and Government Assistance Programs Fear of immigration enforcement is driving immigrants away from healthcare services and vital assistance programs. The share of immigrant adults avoiding government programs that help pay for food, housing, or healthcare because of immigration status concerns increased from 8 percent in 2023 to 12 percent by 2025, according to Kaiser Family Foundation research. Among likely undocumented immigrants, this figure climbed from 27 percent to 46 percent. The psychological and physical health crisis affecting immigrant communities represents one of the most significant humanitarian challenges facing the nation today, with far-reaching implications for public health infrastructure and community stability.
