Dying Invisibly: The Cost of Getting Old

Without a pathway to citizenship, it often feels like this country is waiting for us to be deported, leave on our own, ... or just quietly die.

Living undocumented takes an immense toll on the mind and body, with socioeconomic barriers infiltrating every sector of our lives. Notably, these barriers limit healthcare access for us. In particular, they place our elders— many who have dedicated their lives and labor to this country— in extremely vulnerable positions.

The undocumented elderly are not some small population either. A recent report from the Migration Policy Institute on the profile of “the unauthorized population in the United States” details that out of 11 million people currently undocumented over 60% has resided in the U.S. without status change for 10 years or more, 22% have been waiting 20 years or more. This population rivals the number of DACA recipients in this country, though they are not as prominently in the public eye.

Healthcare Access

Lawmakers opposing policies that might alleviate the socioeconomic costs of exclusion paid by undocumented immigrants often argue that we would drain American taxpayers’ dollars using public services without paying our share.

The reality is that undocumented immigrants pay billions in taxes, contributing to public programs we are excluded from. The same barriers (and dutifully paid taxes) push us into poverty with no hope for economic mobility. Providing for our families, many of us are left with no choice but to overexert our bodies in order to make a living, even as we our denied access to a social safety net or retirement programs.

The future for many of us is bleak: undocumented immigrants are likely to continue working arduous jobs well past retirement age and are less likely to amass retirement savings. To make matters worse, there are currently only eight states in the country that provide state-sponsored healthcare to undocumented immigrants. And even these states’ offerings are riddled with limitations and age restrictions.

States like California and Illinois champion their efforts to make their state-sponsored health care accessible to immigrants. However, these policies are often more flash than substance. Simply put, aging and disabled immigrants are left behind.

As a recent article exploring Illinois’s health policies detailed, recent programs do not include funding for long-term care facilities like rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, and other home and community-based services. The paltry efforts from even the most liberal of policies make one thing clear: this country will work us to the brink of death and then some.

Even when programs may exist, key factors actively discourage many--especially the elderly--from enrolling in them. A 2019 report shared the perspectives from undocumented individuals between the ages of 55-63:

Language:

“I am unable to go to a clinic on my own…you feel that you are not worth anything in this country [without the language].”

Immigration Status:

“It’s hard in this country…You think they will ask you for an identification or social security number, so ultimately you don’t seek help.”

Cost:

“Yesterday I had a doctor's visit, but because I didn’t have the money to pay… I had to cancel it.”

“It’s an extra expense that is not in your budget, but you have to find the money because you need the medication.”¹

Propina

While this week’s post focuses on physical health and care, mental health and wellness resources are far more scarce for undocumented populations. Given the constant turmoil and attacks against our community and our experiences as lives constantly politicized, we ask our readers to check in with their undocumented loved ones. If you’re not sure how to support us, consider the resources offered by Immigrants Rising, an organization committed to uplifting our community.

See you next week!

1. https://socialinnovation.ucr.edu/health-needs-undocumented-older-adults-view-health-status-access-care-and-barriers