When ICE enforcement intensified, kids stopped showing up to the doctor. A new study found that Latine and Spanish-speaking families in Chicago were far more likely to miss or cancel pediatric appointments during Operation Midway Blitz — an intensive immigration enforcement period in 2025. Researchers warn the trend could have serious public health consequences as diseases like measles surge nationwide.
When immigration enforcement intensified in Chicago, pediatric clinics felt the ripple effects. Researchers at Lurie Children's Hospital analyzed nearly 100,000 pediatric appointments scheduled after Operation Midway Blitz — a targeted ICE enforcement campaign that began September 6, 2025 — and found a dramatic spike in no-shows and cancellations, particularly among Latine and Spanish-speaking families.
The findings, presented at the AAP Annual Conference & Exhibition, show this isn't an isolated trend. Similar patterns have been documented in Minnesota and among Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities nationwide, where fear of deportation or insurance loss is driving families away from routine care.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Missed pediatric appointments carry real public health stakes. With measles and other preventable diseases surging in the U.S., gaps in routine care for vulnerable communities could accelerate outbreaks. Researchers also flag potential downstream costs, as families who skip clinic visits may end up in far more expensive emergency settings.
