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Parents' legal status and children's health insurance: Evidence from DACA

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  • Nhan Tran

Abstract

Fear of immigration enforcement may deter undocumented parents from enrolling their US‐born children in public health insurance. This paper examines the effect of providing legal status to parents through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program on health insurance among US‐born children. Using a regression discontinuity design, I find DACA eligibility among likely undocumented mothers increases Medicaid enrollment for US‐born children by five percentage points. I find no similar evidence among those with likely undocumented fathers. The estimates are local to individuals near the age threshold. There is suggestive evidence of heterogeneity in effects across groups of DACA‐eligible mothers.

Suggested Citation

  • Nhan Tran, 2026. "Parents' legal status and children's health insurance: Evidence from DACA," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 44(2), pages 234-252, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:coecpo:v:44:y:2026:i:2:p:234-252
    DOI: 10.1111/coep.70009
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    References listed on IDEAS

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