Healthcare Is a Right, Not a Privilege: USC Must Do More for Undocumented Students

Many undocumented residents avoid going to the doctor or seeking out medical care due to fears of being detained by ICE, fears that have recently heightened ever since the Trump administration overturned policies banning immigration enforcement from raiding “sensitive areas” including schools, churches, and hospitals. This fear is intensified by a lack of access to affordable healthcare. Undocumented residents don't qualify for Medicaid, Medicare, or other federal programs aimed at reducing barriers to healthcare, even though they make significant tax contributions to federal, state, and local governments. This means that without insurance, the cost of healthcare can be crippling.

This is partially addressed by Medi-Cal, California’s health insurance plan for low-income residents, regardless of immigration status. However, many barriers still apply. Language barriers make it challenging to navigate the Medi-Cal enrollment process, which itself also requires digital literacy skills and access to digital devices, a luxury many undocumented residents lack.

Additionally, the Trump administration's threats to cut grants towards sanctuary cities puts these programs at risk, driving deeper worry and uncertainty into the community. This isn't just a distant policy issue, but rather a personal one for the Trojan family The Keck School of Medicine and the Los Angeles General Medical Center, whose doctors are faculty of the Keck School of Medicine, both serve a large and diverse population, including many undocumented individuals. In addition, many USC students themselves are undocumented or live in households of mixed statuses.

Despite this, USC lacks an undocumented student resource center, an important space that would provide guidance on healthcare access, legal aid, and financial support. Without this, many students at USC struggle, uncertain of where to turn for help. A dedicated undocumented student resource center would provide this crucial support for undocumented and DACAmented students. Both UCLA and UC Berkeley already have one, why doesn’t USC? Going beyond campus, South Central LA is home to thousands of undocumented residents who are part of our community, making important contributions to the economy, culture, and workforce of LA but are often struggling to access basic healthcare.

Many of these individuals are the very workers who keep USC running, and their health is directly tied to the well being of the Trojan family, as well as the larger community as a whole. Public health is only as strong as its most vulnerable members. Without ensuring everyone has access to adequate healthcare, we run the risk of weakening our entire health infrastructure, leaving our community as a whole more susceptible to health crises.

Healthcare access for undocumented residents isn't just about human rights, but about the collective well being of everyone in the community USC students and staff must urge the administration to establish an undocumented student resource center and advocate for stronger protections of our undocumented community members.

A petition supporting the establishment of an Undocumented Trojan Resource Center can be found on the Undocumented Trojan Success Assembly’s instagram page, @undocutrojans, where additional resources aimed at supporting students can be found as well. We must use our voices to ensure USC lives up to its promises about inclusion and community, ensuring our undocumented community receives the care they deserve.