What Immigration Legal Services Mean for Community Health

In June, ICS joined dozens of Latino/a/e advocacy leaders during the Healthier Oregon Program Advocate Retreat to meet with legislators, health system leaders, community partners, and front-line workers to discuss the health and well-being of immigrant, migrant farmworker, and refugee communities.

As a culturally specific immigration legal service provider, ICS sees how the struggle for legal status and citizenship affects the daily lives of our clients and loved ones. ICS’s Oregon Immigration Legal Needs Report details how immigrants who lack access to legal services are far more likely to experience discrimination, as well as lack of health care, employment, and food and housing stability. In contrast, immigrants with access to legal services have better access to health care coverage and higher rates of education.

The retreat offered an opportunity for community leaders across sectors to work collaboratively to ensure sustainable, long-term health care access for immigrant and refugee communities across Oregon.  Immigration service providers like ICS play a vital role in ensuring these communities receive appropriate outreach, enrollment, and system navigation support related to health care and insurance.

Access to immigration legal services is a crucial portal to better health care coverage, higher rates of education, and all-around improved well-being for immigrants, their families, and their communities. This is why ICS continually collaborates with community organizations in key areas throughout Oregon to ensure our clients receive holistic support and access to a full suite of wrap-around services, including food security, health care, mental health support, housing, and household essentials.

Support healthier immigrant communities and a healthier Oregon today.