More Borders to Cross: The Financial and Psychological Impact of Immigrant Discrimination during COVID-19

Abstract Systemic disadvantages have led to adverse outcomes for immigrants and racially minoritized communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, including disproportionate rates of exposure, health-related discrimination, higher unemployment rates, lack of adequate health insurance, and stigmatization for the spread of the virus. This study explored the impact of perceived discrimination on the financial and psychological well-being of U.S.-based immigrants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cross-sectional data were collected from 222 foreign-born adult immigrants between March and May 2021. Multiple linear and logistic regression was used to examine the impact of perceived everyday discrimination on immigrant stress levels and financial stability, controlling for sociodemographic factors. Study participants belonged to diverse racial groups: 43.2% White, 37.4% Asian, 9.9% Black, 5.9% Hispanic/Latinx; 3.6% identified as “other.” Findings showed that discrimination was associated with financial stability (OR = 0.27, p < .01), and stress (β = .19, p < .01). Perceptions of discrimination post-COVID-19 were also significantly associated with stress (β = .23, p < .01) Findings contribute to the limited research on immigrant experiences during COVID-19 and highlight adverse effects of discrimination on immigrants’ psychological and financial outcomes. Intervention efforts aimed at improving immigrant health and well-being should recognize, explore, and mitigate the intersectional factors that influence discriminatory experiences of immigrants in the United States.