Health Consequences of the U.S. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Immigration Programme: a Quasi-experimental Study
OFH Contributors
Key Takeaways
DACA, which provided selected undocumented migrants access to the U.S. labor market, led to significant improvements in mental health.
Policies that expand economic opportunities can positively impact health.
Executive Summary
Introduction
Policies that expand access to economic opportunities can also work to improve mental and physical and health. This paper examines one such policy — the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. DACA, implemented in 2012, provided eligible undocumented young adults with temporary work permits and protection from deportation. The study uses a natural experiment to evaluate whether DACA eligibility influenced health outcomes among undocumented immigrants, as recorded in the U.S. National Health Interview Surveys.
Main Findings
- Individuals eligible for DACA experienced significantly fewer symptoms of psychological distress than similar undocumented peers who just missed meeting eligibility criteria. The reduction was strongest for feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and anxiety.
- Similar improvements were not seen among individuals not eligible for DACA.
- The study positions DACA as a natural experiment demonstrating how policies that increase economic opportunity can boost health and well-being in vulnerable communities.
Conclusion
DACA eligibility is associated with significant improvements in mental health among eligible undocumented young adults. The study provides causal evidence that policies that boost economic opportunity have direct public health consequences. It also provides further evidence on the link between immigration policy and health.