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IWRC Releases New Report on Immigrant Experiences with Intensified Enforcement in Florida
The Im/migrant Well-Being Research Center has released a new qualitative report based on 53 in-depth interviews documenting how intensified state and federal immigration enforcement is affecting immigrants and their U.S.-born children in Florida. The report highlights impacts on work, housing, family life, health, education, and community well-being. Multi-language one-pagers and a narrative toolkit are also available.
December 1, 2025Publications & Products
Center Director Elected 2025 - 2026 Chair of ASA International Migration Section
Center Director Dr. Elizabeth Aranda has been elected Chair-Elect of the ASA International Migration Section for 2025–26, recognizing her leadership in public sociology and groundbreaking work on immigrant well-being.
August 1, 2025Publications & Products
Reflecting on the IWB 2025 Conference: A Nexus for Policy and Research
Explore the highlights and key outcomes of the 2025 IWB Conference, co-hosted by the Immigrant Wellbeing Research Center and the Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute. Discover how this gathering of scholars, policymakers, and community leaders spurred deep discussions on immigration policy, research, and the critical need for inclusive, evidence-based approaches to support immigrant well-being across generations.
March 3, 2025Publications & Products
Survey shows immigrants in Florida – even US citizens – are less likely to seek health care after passage of anti-immigrant laws
The Im/migrant Wellbeing Research Center has published a new article in The Conversation highlighting findings from its latest survey on the impact of Florida’s SB 1718 on immigrant healthcare access. The article highlights the public health consequences of restrictive immigration policies, which can lead to delayed treatment, undiagnosed conditions, and worsening health disparities.
February 21, 2025Publications & Products
Here’s what immigration crackdowns mean for Florida’s workforce
The Im/migrant Well-Being Research Center was featured in a Tampa Bay Times article. The article explores the economic and labor force consequences of Florida’s strict immigration policies and highlights findings from our research on SB 1718. The Center’s study documented increased job insecurity, financial strain, and healthcare access barriers among immigrants in Florida. These findings provide critical insight into how recent policy changes are affecting immigrant workers and their families.
February 20, 2025Publications & Products
As States Diverge on Immigration, Hospitals Say They Won’t Turn Patients Away
The Im/migrant Well-Being Research Center was recently featured in an article by KFF Health News. The article discusses how various states are responding to immigration policies affecting healthcare access and highlights findings from our recent report on the impact of Florida's immigration law on healthcare utilization. Research Associate Liz Ventura Molina was quoted in the article, emphasizing the concerning hesitation among noncitizens to seek medical care following the implementation of SB 1718.
January 23, 2025Publications & Products
Florida's New Law on Immigrants May Foreshadow What's To Come Nationally
Dr. Elizabeth Aranda and Research Associate Liz Ventura Molina co-authored a Newsweek opinion piece. The article discusses findings from the Center’s recent study on SB 1718, highlighting the law’s economic, psychological, and public health consequences. Their analysis highlights how such policies affect not only immigrants but also U.S. citizens and warns of potential national ramifications if similar measures are expanded.
January 22, 2025Publications & Products
The Psychological Toll of SB 1718 on Immigrant Communities
Exploring the psychological toll of Florida's SB 1718 on immigrant communities, this blog highlights survey findings that reveal heightened levels of anxiety and stress among both non-citizens and U.S. citizens in mixed-status families. The article examines how anti-immigrant policies contribute to mental health challenges and calls for inclusive reforms to address these systemic harms.
January 14, 2025Publications & Products
The Health Costs of Fear: Immigration Policy as a Barrier to Healthcare Access in Florida
Florida's SB 1718, which mandates hospitals to inquire about immigration status, not only criminalizes aspects of immigrant life but also severely hampers access to healthcare. This policy creates a pervasive climate of fear, causing a significant number of immigrants to reconsider seeking necessary medical services. This hesitation, as revealed in a study conducted by researchers from the Im/migrant Well-Being Research Center at the University of South Florida, highlights the broader public health risks and the strain on healthcare systems resulting from restricted healthcare access among immigrant populations.
November 13, 2024Publications & Products
Op-Ed: For Puerto Ricans, Presidential Insults Open Wounds of Colonialism
Dr. Elizabeth Aranda reflects on the incident at a Trump campaign rally where Puerto Rico was derogatorily described, exacerbating historical wounds of colonialism. The op-ed revisits Trump's disparaging comments and actions towards Puerto Rico, particularly during the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Dr. Aranda discusses findings from a survey conducted on Puerto Ricans in the U.S., highlighting their perspectives on U.S. fiscal policies and the colonial status that restricts Puerto Rico's financial autonomy. The piece calls for a critical reassessment of U.S. policies towards Puerto Rico and advocates for meaningful policy changes in future administrations.
November 4, 2024Publications & Products
Report: An Immigrant Well-Being Analysis of the Presidential Candidates Immigration Policies
Where do the Presidential candidates stand on immigration policy? Immigration has been in the spotlight during the 2024 election season, with voters consistently ranking it among the most pressing issues as they prepare to cast their ballots on November 5th, 2024. With early voting underway and Election Day fast approaching, the Im/migrant Well-Being Scholar Collaborative shares the following analysis to provide an assessment of the proposed immigration policies supported by each candidate and their parties and their potential impacts on im/migrant well-being. This report was written by Thomas J. Rachko, Jr. and Liz Ventura Molina.
November 4, 2024Publications & Products
Resilient Journeys: Navigating Cultural Shock and Identity in Florida
Last summer, doctoral student Viktoryia Sliaptsova from the Department of Sociology and Social Sciences, embarked on a pivotal study titled, “New ‘Americans’ in Florida: Culture Shock, Emotions, and Identity Dilemmas of Newcomer Immigrants and Refugees from Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine." Sponsored by the Im/migrant Well-Being Research Center, this research aims to uncover the intricate process of adaptation and identity negotiation faced by newly arrived immigrants and refugees as they begin their lives in Florida.
October 28, 2024Publications & Products