The plight of the undocumented in the United States elicits strong feelings on both sides of the debate. One viewpoint takes a strict immigration policy perspective and opposes the ability of the undocumented to access publicly financed programs and services including access to health care. Without the sanction of law, those taking a more flexible view must find persuasive arguments to permit the access to public services. The choice of arguments includes reframing the concept of citizenship, accepting the premise of basic human needs that invokes a human rights perspective and concerns about social justice, developing an ethic of care, or invoking a “common good” perspective that acknowledges the role of public health. This article frames the option of using a public health approach to argue for health care for the undocumented in the United States.