Stringent immigration enforcement and the mental health and health‐risk behaviors of Hispanic adolescent students in Arizona

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of the enforcement of SB 1070, a stringent immigration law, on the mental health, health‐risk behaviors, and academic performance of Hispanic adolescent residents in Arizona. Using the difference‐in‐differences method, this study finds that SB 1070 increases their probability of feeling sad and decreases their physical activeness. The impact of SB 1070 on sad feelings and level of physical activity could have serious repercussions while it lasts. In addition, obese male Hispanic adolescents are more likely than their female or non‐obese counterparts to develop mental health problems and engage in health‐risk behaviors attributable to the stringent immigration policy. This study's empirical evidence on adverse mental health repercussions for Hispanic adolescents of state‐level immigration enforcement suggests the need to be careful in formulating and implementing immigration policies.