• Jennifer Tabler, Laryssa Mykyta, Alla Chernenko, Paloma Flores, Alvaro Marquez, Nancy Saenz, and Rebecca Stocker.
• From the Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, the Department of Sociology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, the School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, the Department of Education, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, and Hope Family Health Center, McAllen, Texas.
• South. Med. J. 2020 Apr 1; 113 (4): 183-190.

ObjectiveAlthough substantial research has explored the Hispanic health paradox (HHP) and suggests that Latinx immigrants experience positive health outcomes relative to those born in the United States, less research has assessed the role of immigration status. Our aim was to examine this role in Latinx health.MethodsUsing survey data collected at two free/reduced-cost clinics in southernmost Texas, we examined differences in the mental and self-rated health, substance, alcohol, and tobacco use of low-income patients by undocumented/documented immigrant and US-born/naturalized citizen status (N = 588).ResultsBased on ordinary least squares regression results, undocumented Latinx immigrants report lower negative self-rated health (coefficient -0.27, 95% confidence interval -0.50 to -0.01) and lower depressive symptoms (coefficient -0.34, 95% confidence interval -0.67 to -0.02]) compared with their US citizen peers (P < 0.05). Logistic regression results suggest that undocumented and documented Latinx immigrants do not differ in alcohol, tobacco, or substance use relative to their citizen peers.ConclusionsDespite facing potentially adverse social environments, undocumented Latinx immigrants experience positive health outcomes relative to US-born/naturalized citizen peers.

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