Pediatricians across the United States are reporting that immigrant families are avoiding medical care due to fear of deportation under Trump's immigration policies. A recent survey by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that 40% of pediatricians have noticed families staying away from healthcare services because of these concerns, and 30% report hesitancy in applying for public health support like Medicaid. The article highlights a specific case in Maryland where an undocumented mother with a U.S.-born child delayed seeking medical help due to fears of being detained by immigration authorities, leading to the child’s severe asthma attack requiring emergency care.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-17,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Pediatricians are raising concerns about the impact of Trump's immigration policies on children's health. In a recent incident in Maryland, a mother, referred to as "M," left a voice message expressing worry about her asthmatic child feeling like he was suffocating. M, an undocumented immigrant, hesitated to seek medical help due to fear of being detained by ICE if she went to the clinic.
A national survey conducted in April-June 2026 by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that 40% of pediatricians have observed families avoiding medical care out of fear of immigration enforcement. This trend is leading to long-term health issues for children and additional burdens on the healthcare system.
Written for “Child Immigrant Crackdown Concerns” on 2026-09-17,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Pediatricians raise the alarm on the effect of Trump's immigration crackdown on kids
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MARYLAND — On a hot summer day earlier this year, a mother left a troubling voice message on this reporter's WhatsApp.
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mother → leave → WhatsApp
"My child woke up this morning feeling like he was suffocating.
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I am worried," she said in Spanish.
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The boy had a history of asthma, she added.
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she → have → asthma
The woman asked to be referred to by her first initial, M, because although her son is a U.S. citizen, she and her husband are undocumented.
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she → ask → initial
In response to being told she should seek professional medical help, M said she had been debating whether to take him to the local clinic, worried that she could be detained by immigration enforcement.
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It's a troubling pattern that has emerged in immigrant communities: staying away from medical care due to fear.
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that → emerge → fear
"All the roads northbound have had ICE operations on them," she said in another voice message.
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she → have → message
She was worried about getting detained.
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She decided to wait it out.
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A new national survey, conducted between April and June 2026 by the American Academy of Pediatrics, found that 40% of pediatricians have noticed families staying away from care due to immigration concerns.
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Thirty percent said they've seen families who are hesitant to apply for public health services and support, such as Medicaid.
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who → say → Medicaid
They also noted that there are families in their practice who are avoiding sending their children to school.
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who → note → school
Dr. Lee Beers, the academy's chief medical officer, says keeping children away from school has health implications.
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"They can receive health services within the school.
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They can receive mental health services.
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It's a place where caring and supportive adults can help identify if there's an emerging health issue or mental health issue."
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"His lips were turning blue"
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Back in southern Maryland, the boy was taking a turn for the worse.
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M recalled how pale he was.
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"His lips were turning blue."
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lips → turn → ?
They took the bus to the local clinic.
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It was nighttime, and when they got there, the doctor told her the child was in serious condition.
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He was given oxygen.
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In another voice message, she says, her son has been medevaced to Washington, D.C. "Please," she says.
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she → say → Washington
"Let him be ok."
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him → let → ?
She was told to meet them at the hospital.
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"And now I'm wondering whether I will be safe in an Uber.
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If my whole family drives, what happens if we get stopped.
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we → drive → ?
Do ICE agents board public transportation?"
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A nurse at the Maryland clinic paid for an Uber.
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"I just passed by the Washington Monument," she says in another message.
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She called it the needle.
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This feels dangerous."
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As she got closer to the hospital, another fear: that she might be asked for her immigration papers.
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A quiet shift in immigration enforcement
Legally, hospitals can ask for immigration status — in Florida and Texas they are required to in order to report on healthcare costs of undocumented patients.
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In both states, patients have the right to refuse to answer questions about immigration status.
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But across the U.S., hospitals cannot deny emergency care because of immigration status.
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hospitals → deny → status
Recently, there's been another reason for immigrants — including those here legally — to be apprehensive about seeking medical care.
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immigrants → be → care
…and 26 more, not listed.
The Aporia
