Undocumented Immigrants in the US: Study Shows Ohio is Least Accommodating State to Undocumented Immigrants
A recent study released Thursday shows that Ohio is the least state to promote the health and well-being of undocumented immigrants.
The study was conducted by researchers at the UC Global Health Institute and UCLA, according to Fusion.
Researchers said Ohio came last when they looked at policies that effect the health of undocumented immigrants including access to public benefits, higher education and driver's licenses. The study also researched polices that effect good labor practices.
Other states after Ohio included West Virginia, Mississippi, Indiana, Arizona and Alabama.
"Those states that are at the bottom did the least amount of work," said Michael A. Rodríguez, a UCLA professor and coauthor of the report.
"When you're at the bottom, it means you're doing essentially nothing with regards to these policies that we've identified."
The top five states, on the other hand, that have done more work on policies regarding undocumented immigrants' health include California, Illinois, Washington, Colorado and Texas.
The District of Columbia is also on the Top 10 list.
Rodriguez says the states that provide better services for undocumented immigrants save more money in the long run.
"We acknowledge that it does cost resources to provide these services, but we find that if you don't, then you might be penny wise but pound foolish," he said.
Other states that are on the top 10 list of promoting health and wellness among undocumented immigrants include Minnesota, New Mexico, New York and Oregon.
Meanwhile, presidential candidate and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton promoted the idea of giving licenses to undocumented immigrants, Washington Post reports.
"Hillary supports state policies to provide drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants. This is consistent with her support for the president's executive action," a Clinton campaign spokesperson said.
The presidential candidate was firm on her decision Thursday although she seemed vague on the option when she ran back in 2008.
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