black immigrants, growing share They make up 8% of the country’s population and 8% of all immigrants. Almost half (47%) of black immigrants in the United States are from the Caribbean, about four in 10 (43%) are from sub-Saharan Africa, and smaller proportions are from South America and Europe (both regions 3%). Most black immigrants are U.S. citizens (68%), but one in five (21%) have a valid visa or green card, and about one in 10 (8%) are in the country illegally. There may be. Like immigrants overall, black immigrants came to the United States seeking more opportunities for themselves and their children, and most reported improved educational opportunities, employment, and economic conditions as a result of moving to the United States. I am reporting. Discrimination in the workplace, community, and seeking health care. This reflects the intersecting effects of racism and anti-immigrant sentiment. Below are five key facts about their experience. This is based on her 2023 KFF/LA Times Immigration Survey of 3,358 immigrant adults (18 and older), including 274 Black immigrant adults.
Three in four (76%) black immigrants work, and most say their conditions have improved as a result of coming to the United States.
Similar to immigrants overall, black immigrants came to the United States primarily for better economic and employment opportunities (87%), better educational opportunities (81%), and a better future for their children (80%). %), with most saying: They say moving to the United States has improved their educational opportunities (85%), economic situation (74%), and employment situation (74%) for themselves and their children. Approximately two-thirds (65%) also say they are seeing improvements in safety (Figure 1).
Black immigrants face disproportionate economic challenges, including paying for health care.
Approximately 4 in 10 black immigrants (44%) have low incomes (household income less than $40,000 per year), reflecting the fact that most employed black immigrants work hourly wages (69%) doing. Reflecting these low incomes, half (50%) of Black immigrants say that in the past 12 months, they or someone in their household has paid at least one basic expense, such as rent or mortgage, food, health, health care, or utilities. respondents said they had difficulty paying for basic necessities. About twice as many whites (27%) and Asian immigrants (20%) said the same about other bills (Figure 2). Specifically, 3 in 10 black immigrants (30%) compared to about 1 in 6 white immigrants (17%) and about 1 in 8 Asian immigrants (12%). reported that their household had problems paying medical bills in the past 12 months.
Most employed black immigrants (56%) say they faced at least one form of discrimination or unfair treatment in the workplace asked in the survey.
The majority of employed Black immigrants (56%) report experiencing at least one type of discrimination or mistreatment in the workplace. This is similar to the share of employed Hispanic immigrants (55%) and higher than the share of employed Asian immigrants. (44%) and white immigrants (31%) reported the same. About half (47%) of employed black immigrants say they have had fewer opportunities for promotions and raises than their U.S.-born counterparts, and three in 10 (31%) say they have had fewer opportunities for promotions and raises than their U.S.-born counterparts. fewer than those born in the United States. A quarter (25%) say they have had worse shifts or less control over their hours or hours worked than their U.S.-born counterparts, and about one in five say they have had poorer shifts or less control over their hours worked or hours worked than those born in the United States. They said they weren’t paid for all hours they weren’t paid for overtime (22%) or were harassed or threatened at work because they’re an immigrant (22%). Figure 3). Beyond experiences of abuse, about one in three (34%) black immigrants without a college education believe they have more skills or education than the job requires and feel they are qualified for the job. This percentage has risen to around half (53%) of those with a college degree or higher.
Black immigrants report disproportionate levels of mistreatment in society and in interactions with police.
Most black immigrants (55%) say they have been treated worse than U.S.-born people in at least one of the following places: in stores and restaurants, in interactions with police, and when buying or renting a home. , higher than the legal standard. The proportion reporting this among Hispanics (42%), Asians (36%), or white immigrants (22%). Specifically, approximately four in ten (38%) Black immigrants report being treated poorly in an interaction with police, and approximately one-third (35%) have experienced this in a store or restaurant. Almost a quarter (26%) reported being treated poorly when buying or renting. House (Figure 4). Furthermore, approximately one in three (34%) black immigrants say they have been criticized for speaking a language other than English, and approximately four in ten (45%) He said he was told to go back to the city. higher than the proportion of Hispanic (34%), Asian (32%), or white (25%) immigrants who report this experience.
Among people who receive health care in the United States, black immigrants are more likely than other immigrant groups to report being treated unfairly by health care providers.
About 4 in 10 (38%) Black immigrants who have received or sought health care in the United States report being treated differently or unfairly by health care providers. , which is higher than the rates for Hispanics (28%) and Asians (21%). , and white immigrants (18%) who say this. The proportion of Black immigrants who reported being treated unfairly by a health care provider included approximately one-quarter (25%) who said they had been treated unfairly because of their race, ethnic background, or skin color; This includes 23% who say they have been treated unfairly because of their race, ethnic background or skin color. Approximately one in six girlfriends (16%) said they had been treated differently based on their accent or ability to speak English (Figure 5).
