Health of Latino Community Imperiled with Policy Changes on Undocumented Immigrants' Access to Community Clinics

Introduction:
On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed the Big Spending Bill into law. The bill strips many immigrants from access to health insurance and nutrition aid. With this bill, mental health services, community clinics, and even the “Head Start” program for young children will no longer be available to undocumented immigrants. California has joined a lawsuit to sue the Trump administration.  

(SOT NAZARETH/BIENESTAR PATIENT, 00:11:27)
It was the beginning of a change; it was the beginning of my emotional and mental well-being.  

Through Bienestar, which provides services and resources for the LGBTQ+ community… Nazareth was part of a mental health program that will soon no longer be available to everyone…  

(SOT ANGELICA/BIENESTAR DIRECTOR OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, 00:06:01)
There are very few programs that can give therapy or counseling in Spanish.  

In February, President Trump signed an executive order ending federal benefits for undocumented people—but at that time, it was not specified which programs would be affected.  

(SOT ANGELICA)
These federal funds are very helpful, so people don’t have to worry about how to pay…  

In early July, the Department of Health and Human Services overturned the interpretation of a law that, for nearly 30 years, has allowed the use of some federally funded public benefits for undocumented immigrants. (Note: will show the 1996 law and notice by HHS) 

(SOT DR. EDGAR/ Universal Community Health Center 00:01:00)
This possibly means that as community health centers, we will no longer be able to provide services to immigrant individuals…  

The federal agency stated that it aims to ensure that programs funded by taxpayers are reserved for U.S. citizens and not for undocumented immigrants.  

(SOT NAZARETH, 00:04:29)
Interrupting these types of community supports would be devastating.  

The Mental Health and Substance Abuse programs that Bienestar offers are on the list of impacted services, as are 11 other programs.

(SOT DR. EDGAR 00:00:40)
Many community clinics receive federal funding, and we fall under this category.  

According to the notice… the change is already in effect, but…  

(SOT DR. EDGAR 00:00:55)
We are currently waiting for more guidance on what steps we should take…  

And while they wait, the Dr. Chavez Clinic and centers like Bienestar will continue on…  

(SOT ANGELICA, 00:03:57)
We will continue as normal, as if nothing has happened.  

This constant policy change, we are told…  

(SOT DRA AQUINO/ Latino Coalition for a Healthy California, 00:07:02)
is what we are calling a pandemic of fear.  

(SOT DR. EDGAR, 00:03:11)
As doctors, we are very worried because since the raids started, we have seen that 20 to 30 percent of patients are no longer coming to their appointments—  

…and they are even now offering their services virtually through telemedicine…  

(SOT DRA AQUINO, 00:16:57)
We can no longer say they are protected, we can do this or that—no more. We know the reality is different…  

Telemundo requested an interview with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., but we only received this statement in an email:  

“For a long time, the government has diverted taxpayer money to incentive illegal immigration … the agency will issue further guidance to the affected programs to ensure full implementation.” 

(Voice of Dr. Chavez, 00:02:35)
As a community clinic, we’ve never asked for immigration status—never. But now, with these changes, it’s possible that since we receive federal funds, they will require us to ask these questions as a condition to receive those funds.  

However, 21 state attorneys general, including California’s, said: No, wait a moment…  

(SOT ROB BONTA/CA Attorney General, 00:15:24)
We are challenging the Trump administration ... 

And they have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration… (Note: will show the lawsuit paperwork)  

(SOT ROB BONTA, 00:22:56)
To stop its implementation.  

For a judge to stop the implementation of this policy change…  

(SOT ROB BONTA 00:18:08)
This policy change isn’t just cruel and inhumane; it’s illegal.  

(SOT ROB BONTA 00:15:56)
Safety net programs regardless of immigration status. These are essential programs that protect and save lives, regardless of immigration status, affirms the Attorney General.  

(SOT DR CHAVEZ 00:04:13)
This situation could turn into a public health emergency because we are talking about people with high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma—conditions that are very serious. If they don’t see a doctor, they will lose control and could end up in the emergency room.

SOT DR AQUINO 00:06:26

So we know it's not just an immigration problem, it's more of a specific attack on our Latino communities.

-TRANSITION-

SOT HERVEY/ BIENESTAR PATIENT 00:00:30

Bienestar has practically saved my life. I arrived here about a year ago...

And under one of the impacted programs, Hervey tells us he was “reborn”…

SOT HERVEY 00:02:01

Honestly, I've taken back the power of my life…

SOT HERVEY 00:02:35

We didn't come to steal jobs, we didn't come to take advantage of the system, but we came with dreams, we came with hope.

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TAG:

THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SAID IT WAS LOOKING TO PROTECT THESE TAXPAYER-FUNDED PROGRAMS… SO WE ASKED THE AGENCY'S SPOKESWOMAN IF THIS CHANGE WOULD NOT INCLUDE UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS WHO PAY AND FILE THEIR TAXES EVERY YEAR… BUT AS OF PRESS CLOSURE, WE HAVEN'T RECEIVED THAT ANSWER.