'I like to protect my protector': How US‐born Latinos safeguard the livelihood of their immigrant communities from immigration enforcement encounters.

IMMIGRATION law; UNITED States emigration & immigration; IMMIGRANTS; SOCIAL support; SUBSTANCE abuse; HISPANIC Americans; COMMUNITIES; MENTAL health; QUALITATIVE research; PHENOMENOLOGY; INTERPERSONAL relations; DEPORTATION; THEMATIC analysis; STATISTICAL sampling; JUDGMENT sampling; DATA analysis software; PSYCHOLOGICAL resilience

Using a qualitative phenomenological design, the objective of this study was to explore in‐depth how US‐born Latinos provide social support to their immigrant counterparts during a time of heightened anti‐immigrant rhetoric. A sample of 22 US‐born Latino adult was recruited in 2019 for qualitative interviews, following a period of intense immigration raids. Eligible participants were adults who reported experiencing an immigration‐related stressor and screened positive for a mental health concern or substance misuse. Open‐ended questions focused on topics of immigration and health. Using a thematic analysis approach, interview transcripts were coded to identify common themes within the domains of social support: instrumental; informational; emotional; and appraisal. We found that US‐born Latinos provide diverse forms of social support to immigrants with the intention of protecting them from immigration enforcement encounters (e.g. deportation), thereby safeguarding the livelihoods of their communities. US‐born Latinos are integral pillars of support and resiliency for immigrant communities, and the domains identified within this study suggest important implications for immigrant health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]