Descriptive Analysis of Community Based Needs among Asylum Seekers in the Greater Rhode Island Area before and after COVID-19: Evidence from a Student-Run Asylum Clinic.

This article focuses on the Brown Human Rights Asylum Clinic's (BHRAC) implementation of a Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) screener to assess and address community resource needs among asylum seekers in Rhode Island. The clinic, run primarily by medical students under faculty supervision, provides pro-bono medical and psychological affidavits for immigration proceedings and connects clients with resources based on their SDoH screening. Analysis of data from October 2019 to December 2022 showed that 89% of clients requested assistance, with mental health services being the most common need, followed by English classes and medical services; these trends remained consistent before and after the onset of COVID-19. The study highlights challenges including language barriers, ethical concerns about dual roles of students as evaluators and resource providers, and leadership turnover, suggesting the need for improved clinic models and expanded community partnerships to better support asylum seekers.