Immigrant health and policy in rural California

Little is known about how federal and state immigrant policies influence well-being of immigrants and their families in rural and agricultural regions, such as the San Joaquin Valley. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, and immigrants continue to labor in vital sectors with limited safetynet support, it’s critical to understand their health and economic needs. Although evidence suggests that inclusive immigrant policies can promote and protect immigrant health, immigrants in rural and agricultural regions may not equitably benefit from these policies due to existing health and economic inequities. My research seeks to understand the challenges and facilitators to effective state policy implementation in these regions, including the experiences of Latino immigrants and immigrant-serving agencies.