Working With Undocumented Immigrants From Mexico: Experiences of Practitioners in New Mexico and Texas

Undocumented immigrants from Mexico constitute a vulnerable population that experiences complex, and potentially oppressive, systemic forces in the United States, yet little exists in the psychological literature regarding the experiences of clinicians conducting work with these communities. This study gathered first-person narratives from 12 mental health professionals who work with undocumented immigrants from Mexico in the border states of New Mexico and Texas. The resulting interview transcripts were analyzed using a consensual qualitative research approach. The results of the study highlight clinicians' perceived strengths and challenges associated with their work and suggest training recommendations for mental health professionals who provide services for this population. Public Significance Statement This study highlights the experiences of mental health professionals who work with undocumented immigrants from Mexico, including their perceptions of their strengths and weaknesses in service provision. The study results suggest that practitioners support immigration reform, provide socially just and trauma-informed care, support clinician bilingualism, and encourage leadership from professional organizations.