Immigration enforcement linked to lower ER visits in Los Angeles

A study by the University of Southern California (USC) indicates that intensified immigration enforcement in Los Angeles County has led to a significant decline in emergency room visits among foreign-born individuals. The research, published in JAMA Network Open, analyzed data from three safety-net hospitals: Los Angeles General Medical Center, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, and Olive View-UCLA Medical Center.

Following high-profile immigration operations in June 2025, emergency department visits by foreign-born patients dropped by more than 20% relative to U.S.-born patients within the first four weeks. While this gap narrowed to 10% by October 2025, the study found that foreign-born patients who did seek care were more likely to require hospitalization. Admission rates increased for patients born in Mexico, Central and South America, and Asia compared to U.S.-born patients.

The findings suggest that immigrant populations may be avoiding or delaying medical treatment during periods of increased enforcement, a trend that could result in more severe health complications and increased costs for both patients and the healthcare system.