UCLA Study Says Birthright Citizenship Order Puts Latino Families at Risk

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A new report from the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute (LPPI) warns that the Trump Administration’s executive order to end birthright citizenship could have severe health and social consequences, even if courts eventually strike it down.

LPPI researchers highlight that this policy will disproportionately harm Latino children, increase economic instability, and worsen long-term health outcomes. Many immigrant families, fearing consequences, are avoiding Medicaid, SNAP, and other critical public programs, a trend previously seen during the Public Charge rule debate. Delaying prenatal care and medical visits could lead to higher infant mortality rates and increased medical costs over time.

Despite restrictions on accessing federal benefits, immigrants contribute significantly to the U.S. healthcare system. In 2017, they generated a net surplus of $63.2 billion in payments to Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers, counterbalancing the deficit created by U.S.-born citizens. Ending birthright citizenship would further destabilize mixed-status families, leaving future generations at risk of statelessness.

“This policy represents a real threat, disguised as immigration reform,” said Dr. Arturo Vargas Bustamante, faculty director of research at LPPI. “This order fuels a climate of fear that will deter many immigrant and mixed-status families from seeking necessary health care, worsen birth outcomes, and increase long-term medical costs. Even before the policy takes full effect, its psychological and economic toll is already being felt.”

The report calls on policymakers to take proactive measures, including expanding state-level protections, launching targeted health campaigns, and working with community organizations to provide accurate information. Without intervention, the order’s long-term effects could deepen public health disparities and undermine social stability.

Read the full UCLA LPPI research brief here.

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About the Author

Julio Ricardo Varela is the founder and publisher of The Latino Newsletter.

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