Atlanta Immigration Clinic
Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my Jump beside the golden door!"
~ Emma Lazarus
The Atlanta Immigration Clinic is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit that specializes in immigration evaluations and related services, including asylum evaluations, hardship waivers, VAWA evaluations, T-Visas, U-Visas, adoption services, guardianship and conservatorship services, and PTSD evaluations.
We use a team based approach, including attorneys, mental health clinicians, and case managers to provide comprehensive immigration services. We offer two pro bono evaluations and two sliding scale evaluations per week. Evaluations start at $1000.00 but can be reduced on need.
La Clínica de Inmigración de Atlanta es una organización sin fines de lucro 501c3 que se especializa en evaluaciones de inmigración y servicios relacionados, incluidas evaluaciones de asilo, exenciones por dificultades, evaluaciones de VAWA, visas T, visas U, servicios de adopción, servicios de tutela y curatela, evaluaciones de PTSD.
Utilizamos un enfoque basado en equipo, que incluye abogados, médicos de salud mental y administradores de casos para brindar servicios de inmigración integrales. Ofrecemos dos Pro Bono evaluaciones por semana. Ademas ofrecemos dos Sliding Scale evaluaciones por semana. Las evaluaciones comienzan en $1000.00 pero se pueden reducir según la necesidad.
The True Costs of Undocumented Immigrants on the U.S. Healthcare System
Public debate often frames undocumented immigrants as a heavy financial burden on the U.S. healthcare system. However, credible research tells a different story: undocumented immigrants use fewer services, cost less per person, and contribute significantly to public funds despite being ineligible for many benefits.
Lower Per-Capita Healthcare Spending:
Immigrants, including undocumented individuals, spend far less on healthcare compared to U.S.-born citizens. In 2021, per-capita spending was $4,875 for immigrants compared to $7,277 for U.S.-born individuals (Kaiser Family Foundation [KFF], 2024). That’s only about two-thirds the cost, across nearly every service category.
Limited Access to Public Programs:
Undocumented immigrants are ineligible for most federal health programs. They cannot enroll in full Medicaid, Medicare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. Their only exception is Emergency Medicaid, which provides very short-term coverage for life-threatening conditions or childbirth (Georgetown Center for Children and Families [CCF], 2025).
Emergency Care Represents a Tiny Fraction:
Emergency services for undocumented immigrants account for an extremely small share of U.S. healthcare spending.
- Less than 1% of total Medicaid spending went to emergency care for noncitizen immigrants in 2023 (KFF, 2023).
- In 2016, these services made up only 0.2% of Medicaid expenditures and 0.03% of total national health spending (Immigration Forum, 2017).
The Healthy Immigrant Effect
Immigrants are often younger and healthier upon arrival, a phenomenon called the “healthy immigrant effect.” This means they generally use fewer healthcare services, further reducing costs compared to U.S.-born individuals (KFF, 2025).
Why This Matters
The myth that undocumented immigrants overwhelm the healthcare system is not supported by evidence. In fact, they:
- Spend less per person.
- Contribute billions in taxes (including up to $12 billion annually into Social Security despite being ineligible for benefits).
- Face systemic barriers that keep them from using services at the same rate as citizens.
Recognizing the truth allows policymakers and communities to shift the conversation from fear-driven rhetoric to evidence-based solutions.
References
Georgetown Center for Children and Families. (2025, May 21). The truth about Medicaid coverage for immigrants and the looming threats. https://ccf.georgetown.edu/2025/05/21/the-truth-about-medicaid-coverage-for-immigrants-and-the-looming-threats/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Immigration Forum. (2017). Undocumented immigrants and federal health care benefits. https://immigrationforum.org/article/fact-sheet-undocumented-immigrants-and-federal-health-care-benefits/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Kaiser Family Foundation. (2023, Dec 20). Less than 1% of total Medicaid spending goes to emergency care for noncitizen immigrants. https://www.kff.org/quick-take/less-than-1-of-total-medicaid-spending-goes-to-emergency-care-for-noncitizen-immigrants/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Kaiser Family Foundation. (2024, Apr 17). Immigrants have lower health care expenditures than their U.S.-born counterparts. https://www.kff.org/racial-equity-and-health-policy/immigrants-have-lower-health-care-expenditures-than-their-u-s-born-counterparts/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Kaiser Family Foundation. (2025, Feb 14). Key facts on health coverage of immigrants. https://www.kff.org/racial-equity-and-health-policy/key-facts-on-health-coverage-of-immigrants/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Data Snapshot
| Statistic | Source | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| $4,875 vs. $7,277 per capita spending (immigrants vs. U.S.-born) | KFF (2024) | Immigrants—including undocumented individuals—cost less on average. |
| Emergency Medicaid = 0.4% of total Medicaid spending (FY 2023) | KFF (2023) | Very small proportion of Medicaid costs. |
| Emergency Medicaid < 0.5% of total Medicaid spending | Georgetown CCF (2025) | Confirms the minor financial impact. |
| Emergency services = 0.2% of Medicaid; 0.03% of national health spending (2016) | Immigration Forum (2017) | Puts costs in broader national context. |
| Lower use due to age, health, barriers | KFF (2025) | Explains root causes of lower spending trends. |
Contact us/Comuníquese con nosotros
Ready to discuss your legal challenges? Reach out for a complimentary initial consultation and discover how our team can support your goals.
Stories
Start-Up Prevails in Landmark IP Dispute
Our client’s patent portfolio was upheld in federal court, setting a new precedent for software protections and securing a seven-figure settlement.
Proposed Data Privacy Bill: What It Means for SMEs
We break down the key provisions of the upcoming federal privacy legislation and outline actionable steps small and mid-sized enterprises can take now.
Arbitration vs. Litigation—2024 Cost Comparison
A fresh analysis of nationwide data reveals how alternative dispute resolution is reshaping legal budgets across multiple sectors.
Comprehensive Legal Services
Legal Representation
VAWA self-petitions, U-Visas, Hardship Waivers, asylum cases.