Impacts of local, provincial, and federal immigration policies on health and social services access among women with precarious immigration status

Sanctuary City policies are recommended to advance im/migrants' human rights, reduce instances of delayed or denied care, untreated illnesses, and social isolation. Full implementation of Sanctuary principles at the local level (i.e., reduced collaboration between local service providers and federal immigration enforcement) is needed to improve access to health and other services based on need, regardless of immigration status. At the provincial level, elimination of 'status checking' in health settings and expansion of eligibility criteria for health, social, and education programs (e.g., Medical Services Plan, subsidized housing, and BC's School Act) to include all im/migrants should be considered. At the federal level, increased funding for programs that address inequities in health and social services produced by restrictive immigration policies and ensure pathways to more secure immigration status are recommended. Together, these policy reforms have the potential to address the structural barriers to im/migrant women's health and social services access, and ultimately improve overall public health outcomes.