A Call for Nurse Leader Action: Ethical Nursing Care of Latinx Unauthorized Immigrant Children and Families

Abstract

Latinx unauthorized immigrant children and children of unauthorized immigrant parents are at risk for care disparities and negative health outcomes. Unauthorized immigration from South and Central America to the United States has elevated to crisis level, exposing many children to poor health conditions, human rights violations, and risk of death. Unauthorized status greatly influences care access and delivery in the hospital setting. Restricted nursing care creates ethical dilemmas. Nurse leaders are in key positions to influence and advocate care. This article explores issues surrounding nursing care using the Theory of Bureaucratic Caring and identifies opportunities for nurse leader action.