Amid deportations, immigrants shy away from medical care

[iluvtennis]

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@latimes
Amid deportations, immigrants shy away from medical care https://lat.ms/2IwReEi

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http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-ln-immigration-health-20180406-htmlstory.html

Amid deportations, those in U.S. without authorization shy away from medical care
They need to prepare, they say, in case they never come back.

Patients at the St. John’s Well Child & Family Center in South Los Angeles have recently started asking for copies of their medical records. Some request extra medicine from their doctors, taking home as much as they’ll supply.

“They want to have a stockpile,” clinic Chief Executive Jim Mangia said. “There’s this tremendous fear that on their way to take their kids to school, or on their way to the clinic, or on their way into the store, they’re going to get picked up and deported.”

Healthcare providers say President Trump’s aggressive moves against illegal immigration are posing risks to the health of many Californians, as patients cancel medical appointments or wait until the last minute to seek treatment.

Others are asking to leave public programs because they’re worried their personal information will end up with the federal government. Even more seem to be feeling anxious or depressed because of possible raids, prompting some providers to offer special training to deal with such mental health issues among immigrants.

And the recent anxiety has extended beyond those in the country without legal authorization, health advocates say.

St. John’s, which treats more immigrants who lack legal status than any clinic in the state, often hears from patients who are afraid they’ll run into federal authorities on their way to the clinic, employees said. In the last several months, staff members have practiced forming a human chain around the facility, in case immigration agents do show up one day.

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Shameful, just shameful that folks can't seek medical attention for fear ICE is coming.

[quartz007]

1. Why are Immigrants with legal visa's afraid

to seek medical attention? I came here as immigrant on a student visa, subsequently qualified for permanent resident visa (green card) and then after waiting 5 years was granted citizenship. I never had a problem seeking medical attention.

[MiniMe]

3. ...

"St. John’s, which treats more immigrants who lack legal status than any clinic in the state, often hears from patients who are afraid they’ll run into federal authorities on their way to the clinic, employees said."

[Ohiogal]

2. Shameful is right.

And wouldn't an immigrant stay away from the voting booth with the same fear? Which makes Trump's claim that "millions" of illegals voted in the last election patently ridiculous.