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When you're feeling sick or are injured, we want you to feel safe to go to the doctor. Getting the right care quickly can make the difference in healing and getting better. However, in a new country with a complicated healthcare system, it’s common to feel confused or scared about whether you can get help or not! 

All people in the U.S. have certain rights to medical treatment. These rights are protected by law. 

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In this article, we answer some common questions that you may have about where to seek medical help in the U.S., your rights to medical treatment, and how to respond if asked for your immigration status.  

🚨 Note: If you are in an emergency or your life is in danger, call 911 right away. They will help you get emergency medical care as quickly as possible.  

  • Learn more about what it means to call 911 and hotlines in the U.S. here. 

 

1. 🏥 If I don’t have health insurance, can I go to the hospital? 
Yes! You have a right to treatment in a hospital emergency room. 

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  • Hospital emergency rooms must provide care for anyone that needs it, no matter what their immigration status is, or if they can pay for treatment.
  • You do not have to have health insurance to be treated at an emergency room.
  • The hospital may or may not ask for your immigration status. You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status to get treatment! 
      • You can say: “I prefer to not provide that information.”
  • The hospital may ask if you have insurance.
      • You can say: “I am not eligible for health insurance.”
  • The hospital may ask for a photo ID. They ask for a photo ID to make sure that your identity matches the name on forms and prescriptions. You should be able to receive treatment even if you do not have valid photo ID. 

 

2. 🩺 What about non-emergency healthcare, such as yearly vaccines or check-ups? 
You have a right to primary and preventative care at a community medical center. 

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  • Community health centers offer preventative medicine, like covid-19 and flu vaccines, as well as primary care. Primary care includes check-ups, general health screening, treatment of common illnesses and minor injuries, and mental health support. 
  • The same rights that you have at an emergency room also apply: you do not have to share your immigration status and you do not have to have health insurance. 

Note: for more information about types of medical centers in the US (emergency room, urgent care, and community health centers), check out this article.  

 

3. 🗣️ I don’t speak English. Are interpreters available? 
Yes, you have a right to receive treatment in your language. 

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  • Hospitals and community health centers are required to provide free interpretation services in your language. They may have bilingual staff, in-person interpreters, or phone/virtual interpreters.  

 

4. 🛡️ Is my personal information safe? 
Yes, medical records and personal information are protected under federal law.  

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  • Hospitals and community health centers are legally obligated to protect your personal information (like your name and date of birth) and your medical records. This means that they are not allowed to share your information unless there is a judicial warrant.  

 

5. 👮🏽 Is a hospital a safe space for me as an undocumented immigrant? 
Yes and no. Recent changes in law allow ICE to enter some areas of hospitals.  

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  • ICE is now able to enter public areas in hospitals. This includes waiting rooms, lobbies and other areas that are open to everyone. 
  • ICE can NOT enter private areas, unless they have a judicial warrant signed by a judge. Private areas include treatment rooms, patient rooms, offices, etc. 
      • Note: A deportation order is not the same thing as a judicial warrant signed by a judge. A deportation order does NOT allow ICE to enter private areas of a hospital.  

Note: to learn more about your rights in encounters with ICE, check out our infographic.  

 

Sources: 

ACLU. (March 2025). Know Your Rights: Immigrant Safety in Hospitals and Clinics. https://www.aclunc.org/our-work/know-your-rights/know-your-rights-immigrant-safety-hospitals-and-clinics 

National Immigrant Law Center. (January 2025). KYR to Healthcare and Health Insurance. https://www.nilc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KYR-to-Health-Care-and-Health-Insurance-20250122.pdf