title: Undocumentedness and public policy: the impact on communities, individuals, and families along the Arizona/Sonora border.
abstract: The focus of this article is the health impact and implications of undocumentedness along the U.S.-Mexico border, particularly the Arizona/Sonora region. We describe the direct and indirect influences of immigration policies on the health of individuals, families, and communities. The Arizona border region maintains close social, cultural, and linguistic ties to Mexico, and the amplified efforts to secure the border have been dramatic on the region and on the people who live there. The 261-mile stretch across the Arizona-Sonora Desert is the most deadly corridor for immigrants crossing into the United States because they are at risk of being killed, kidnapped, and coerced into smuggling drugs or dying in the desert. Gang-related violence is pushing more Central Americans, including unaccompanied minors, to the United States. The impact on individual migrants and their families has been devastating. We examine the health implications of policy and applaud the actions of the Arizona Nurses Association and the American Academy of Nursing to address the health needs of border communities.
authors: College of Nursing and Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona.
authors: Marylyn Morris
authors: MM
authors: McEwen
authors: College of Nursing, Georgia Regents University; College of Nursing, University of Arizona.
authors: Joyceen S
authors: JS
authors: Boyle
authors: College of Nursing and Women's and Gender Studies, University of South Carolina. Electronic address: deanne.messias@sc.edu.
authors: DeAnne K
authors: DK
authors: Hilfinger Messias
mesh_terms: D001130:Arizona; D003415:Crime / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004641:Emigration and Immigration / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D011640:Public Policy; D017664:Uncompensated Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Border health; Migration; Nursing; Policy; Undocumentedness