Overview

This study examines the impact of North Carolina’s House Bill 318 (HB 318), a state law that preempts municipal protections for immigrant communities, on the health and well-being of Latine immigrants. Through a combination of focus groups and interviews with key shareholders, the research explores how state preemption laws hinder local efforts to support immigrants and their access to services. 

Key Findings

  • Undermining Municipal Protections: State and federal actions, such as HB 318, reduce the positive effects of municipal sanctuary laws that are designed to protect immigrant communities. 
  • Confusion and Fear: Laws like HB 318 create confusion and deter immigrants from accessing health and social services, worsening their vulnerability. 
  • Disproportionate Impact on Children: The law disproportionately affects children and young people, increasing fear and reducing opportunities for economic stability and well-being in immigrant families. 

Implications for Policy and Practice 

  • Supportive Local Policies: The findings emphasize the negative consequences of state preemption laws on immigrant health and well-being. Policymakers should consider enacting supportive local policies and protecting municipal autonomy to address the needs of immigrant communities more effectively. 

Principal Investigators

  • Lilli Mann-Jackson
    Senior Research Associate
    Wake Forest University
  • Florence M. Simán
    Director of Development and Co-Director of Operations
    El Pueblo
  • Mark A. Hall
    Professor
    Social Sciences and Health Policy, Wake Forest School of Medicine
  • Jorge Alonzo
    Research Associate
    Wake Forest University
  • Julie M. Linton
    Associate Professor of Pediatrics
    University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville
  • Scott Duane Rhodes
    Professor and Chair
    Social Sciences and Health Policy, Wake Forest School of Medicine

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