More California Immigrants Avoiding Public Programs, UCLA Study Finds

LOS ANGELES, CA — More than 1 in 7 low-income immigrant adults in California avoided public programs in the past year because of concerns that participation could affect their or a family member's immigration status, according to a UCLA Center for Health Policy Research study released Thursday.

The study, based on 2025 California Health Interview Survey data, found that 15% of immigrant adults with incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level avoided programs such as Medi-Cal or CalFresh, up from 11% in 2024.

For a family of four, 200% of the federal poverty level was $64,300 in 2025, according to the center.

"The issue isn't the programs themselves. It's the fear that using them could jeopardize future immigration opportunities," said Joelle Wolstein, a UCLA Center for Health Policy Research research scientist.

Low-income immigrants who avoided public programs were more likely than those who did not to delay needed medical care, 26% to 12%, and delay filling prescriptions, 20% to 8%, according to the study.

Researchers said 60% of those who avoided programs experienced food insecurity, compared with 38% of those who did not. About half, 51%, experienced housing insecurity, compared with 33% of those who did not avoid programs. The housing data was from 2024, the most recent year available.

More than one-third of those who avoided programs, 36%, reported no preventive care visit in the past year, while 32% reported visiting an emergency department. The corresponding figures for those who did not avoid programs were 24% and 20%, respectively.

Avoidance was most common among families with children, noncitizens, adults ages 18 to 39 and immigrants who had lived in the United States for less than 10 years, the study found.

Among noncitizen California adults with incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level, 25% avoided public programs because of immigration concerns. Researchers said 5% of naturalized citizens in that income group did so.

The study was based on data collected before current public charge standards took effect Sept. 18. The standards allow immigration officials broad discretion to consider the use of non-cash benefits, including Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits and housing assistance, in public charge determinations, according to the center.

"The most recent changes worsened widespread ongoing concern that public program participation could negatively affect immigration status even among families that were eligible for some forms of assistance," said Susan H. Babey, the center's director of research and a co-author of the fact sheet.

City News Service