In May 2023, Florida enacted Senate Bill 1718 (SB 1718), containing a sweeping set of immigration provisions that significantly reshaped the social and legal landscape for immigrant communities. Hailed as a tough-on-immigration policy by proponents, the law has imposed strict penalties for undocumented immigrants and those who interact with them. It has mandated measures like expanded E-Verify requirements, restricted the validity of out-of-state driver's licenses issued to undocumented individuals, and required healthcare providers to inquire about patients’ immigration status. These provisions, while ostensibly targeted at unauthorized immigration, have cast a long shadow over the lives of both immigrants and U.S. citizens alike.
Over a year since its implementation, the effects of SB 1718 remain palpable. For many, the law represents not just a legal burden but a source of profound psychological distress. Research conducted by the Im/migrant Well-Being Research Center at the University of South Florida has revealed troubling trends: heightened levels of anxiety, fear of deportation, and stress permeate immigrant communities, even among U.S. citizens in mixed-status families. These findings illuminate the profound mental health consequences of policies designed to criminalize immigrant populations. As the nation grapples with the reemergence of harsh federal immigration rhetoric, including President Trump’s renewed threat to deport millions, the psychological toll of policies like SB 1718 must be urgently examined. This article delves into the findings of the Center’s study, exploring the broader implications of these mental health outcomes.
Psychological Distress and Anti-Immigrant Policies
Psychological distress, characterized by symptoms such as anxiety, hopelessness, and restlessness, is increasingly recognized as a critical public health concern. Mental health, often influenced by socioeconomic, environmental, and political factors, shapes not only individual well-being but also community resilience. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights, mental health outcomes are intertwined with social determinants such as access to services, housing stability, and discrimination, necessitating a population-level approach to intervention.
The passage of SB 1718 in Florida exemplifies how structural factors, such as immigration policies, contribute to psychological distress. Recent data from the Im/migrant Well-Being Research Center at the University of South Florida highlight this impact: 55% of survey participants reported increased psychological stress since the law’s implementation, with non-citizens (68%) disproportionately affected. Studies demonstrate that chronic psychological distress contributes to a range of adverse health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In Florida, this phenomenon is compounded by SB 1718’s enforcement mechanisms, which amplify fears of detention, deportation, and family separation. The law’s spillover effects on U.S. citizens in mixed-status families further illustrate the interconnectedness of structural vulnerability and psychological health. The concept of structural vulnerability highlights how policies systematically disadvantage certain populations, exacerbating their exposure to harm. In this context, fear of family separation and restricted access to public services contribute to heightened emotional distress, disrupting daily life for both documented and undocumented individuals. Research has found that U.S. citizens who know someone detained or deported—particularly family members—experience significantly higher levels of anxiety, depression, and psychological distress. For Latinx communities, who are disproportionately connected to undocumented individuals, these stressors are especially acute. The trauma of family separation and the daily reality of living under the threat of deportation contribute to a chronic state of fear and uncertainty, which, over time, manifests as severe mental health challenges.
Findings of our Study
The enactment of Florida's SB 1718 has had a profound impact on the psychological well-being of immigrant communities. Utilizing the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6), a validated tool for assessing non-specific psychological distress, the study revealed alarming levels of mental health concerns among participants. Specifically, 43% of respondents scored in the moderate distress range, while 21% fell into the severe distress category. These figures suggest that nearly two-thirds of those surveyed are experiencing significant psychological strain in the 30 days prior to participating in the survey. A closer examination of stress levels reveals a stark disparity based on citizenship status. When asked directly whether they had experienced increased psychological stress since the implementation of SB 1718, 68% of non-citizen participants reported an increase in psychological stress. Notably, this stress is not confined to undocumented individuals; 32% of U.S. citizens surveyed also indicated heightened stress levels. This includes citizens who are part of mixed-status families, where the legal risks and uncertainties faced by non-citizen family members have a cascading effect on the entire household.
Fear of detention and deportation emerged as a critical factor influencing mental health outcomes. An overwhelming 77% of respondents reported that concerns about themselves or family members being detained or deported had negatively impacted their mental health. This pervasive anxiety reflects the heightened enforcement measures and expanded definitions of criminal liability under SB 1718, which have intensified fears of family separation and legal repercussions for everyday activities. These struggles also disrupt family dynamics and community cohesion. Children in these families may experience heightened anxiety and uncertainty, affecting their academic performance and social development. Adults may avoid seeking necessary medical care or legal assistance due to fear of exposure, further entrenching health disparities.
Broader Implications
These findings exemplify the far-reaching implications of anti-immigrant policies on mental health and psychological well-being. Beyond individual experiences, the elevated levels of psychological distress observed among both non-citizens and U.S. citizens signal a broader public health concern. Chronic stress and anxiety, exacerbated by fears of detention, deportation, and family separation, not only impair mental health but also contribute to long-term physical health risks. For immigrant communities, this distress is not merely an outcome of personal circumstances but a reflection of systemic structural vulnerabilities. Policies like SB 1718, which expand enforcement measures and intensify scrutiny, create environments where fear and uncertainty become pervasive. Such conditions disrupt access to essential services, destabilize families, and erode trust in institutions. The spillover effects on U.S. citizens, particularly in mixed-status families, further illustrate how these policies perpetuate inequities across legal and social boundaries. From a public health perspective, the implications extend beyond the immediate populations affected. Psychological distress within immigrant communities can reduce productivity, hinder educational attainment, and strain local healthcare systems. Individuals experiencing severe anxiety or depression, especially as a result of fear of deportation or family separation, are less likely to seek preventive care, leading to higher rates of emergency care usage and avoidable complications. This creates a ripple effect, placing additional pressure on already overburdened public health infrastructures.
The societal consequences are equally significant. Fear-driven policies fragment communities and foster climates of exclusion, undermining social cohesion and mutual trust. These dynamics are particularly damaging in states like Florida, where immigrant labor is a cornerstone of key industries. The disruption caused by SB 1718, coupled with increasing hostility at the federal level, risks exacerbating labor shortages, economic instability, and social polarization. In essence, the psychological toll of anti-immigrant policies like SB 1718 serves as a warning of the broader harms inflicted by exclusionary governance. It is not only the well-being of immigrant communities at stake but the health and resilience of the state as a whole.