Framing, Partisanship, and Race Shape American Public Opinion Regarding Immigration Status Reporting in U.S. Hospitals
摘要
Hospital-based immigration status reporting laws have potential implications for health care access among immigrant and minority populations, yet little is known about U.S. public opinion on these policies. This study assessed national patterns of support for such laws and examined variation by political affiliation, race/ethnicity, age, and policy framing. We conducted a nationally representative online survey of 3,537 U.S. adults between January and February 2025. Participants reported agreement with statements about requiring hospitals to collect immigration status under general conditions and in scenarios emphasizing possible consequences for care-seeking, health outcomes, and impacts on U.S. citizen children of undocumented immigrants. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to evaluate predictors of support. Overall support for requiring hospitals to ask about immigration status was 62%, but support declined across framings that highlighted potential harms, with only 42% supporting the policy when framed in terms of harm to U.S. citizen children. After adjustment, Republicans were significantly more likely than Democrats to support these policies across framings (odds ratios ranging from 1.46 to 1.64). Black and Hispanic respondents were significantly less likely than White respondents to support these laws (odds ratios from 0.62 to 0.96). Older adults showed higher overall support, though support decreased when potential harms were emphasized. Support for hospital-based immigration status reporting laws is context-dependent and varies by political identity, race/ethnicity, and policy framing. These findings contribute to understanding how public opinion may shape the implementation and acceptability of immigration-related health policies.