In 2018, there were 22 million noncitizens in the United States, accounting for about 7% of the total U.S. population. Noncitizens include lawfully present and undocumented immigrants. Many individuals live in mixed immigration status families that may include lawfully present immigrants, undocumented immigrants, and/or citizens. One in four children has an immigrant parent and the majority of these children are citizens.
Most of the uninsured are citizens, but noncitizens are significantly more likely than citizens are to be uninsured.
By Kaiser Family Foundation
In 2018, more than three-quarters (76%) of the nearly 28 million nonelderly uninsured were citizens. However, among the nonelderly population, 23% of lawfully present immigrants and more than four in ten (45%) undocumented immigrants were uninsured compared to less than one in ten (9%) citizens.
Moreover, among citizen children, those with at least one non-citizen parent are more likely to be uninsured compared to those with citizen parents (8% vs. 4%).
Growing research suggests that recent changes to immigration policy are contributing to growing fears among immigrant families about their children participating in Medicaid and CHIP.
In particular, changes to public charge policy that allow federal officials to newly consider use of certain non-cash programs, including Medicaid for non-pregnant adults, when determining whether to provide certain individuals a green card or entry into the U.S. are leading to growing fears that will likely lead to coverage declines. Coverage declines would have important implications for the health and well-being of families and the health care system.
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