Farmworkers at Risk: The Costs of Family Separation

Farmworkers are among the poorest of US workers, and experience multiple factors that place them at risk for poor health outcomes. Many are married workers who come to the US without their families; increased patrolling of the US–Mexico border has resulted in extended family separations. This study used secondary analysis of 1,864 interviews with Hispanic workers from 1998 national data to explore the relationships between family separation and factors that affect health problems in this population. Findings indicate that farmworkers who are separated from their families experience disadvantages in many areas. These findings highlight some important functions of the family for Hispanic farmworkers. Implications for clinical practice and further research are discussed.