Analysis of risk factors among Asian Undocumented families and potential solution based on a social-ecological model

Background: Asian undocumented families with children and youth is a growing vulnerable group in the U.S. Little research analyzed the uniqueness of Asian undocumented population based on theoretical model and provide corresponding solution.

Methods: We performed an environmental scan of 37 scholarly sources, including 4 review articles, 3 research articles, 11 news article, 9 organization websites, 5 governmental reports, and 5 interview videos of Asian Undocumented youth from the website. Risk factors were analyzed using Shi’s general framework of social determinants (2011), with strategies suggested.

Results: We identified three main risk factors relevant to health outcomes of Asian undocumented youth: the lack of environmental support, culture and language differences, and low social-economic status. Data suggested that Asian undocumented youth are less likely to apply for governmental programs or seek for organizational help, compared with other ethnic counterparts. We developed a comprehensive conceptual model incorporated these main risk factors to illustrate the mechanism of vulnerability among Asian undocumented population. Existed strategies and policies by federal, state and local level supports and based on ecological model were discussed among the targeted vulnerable population.

Conclusions: Undocumented Asians tend to be invisible according to their culture that they lost chances to take advantage of programs and resources.  Younger generation is more open and can help bridge the accessibility gap. We suggest empowering younger Asians and developing an official one-stop website with sufficient up-to-date resources for them to come out of the shadows.