Poll: Immigrants more optimistic than Americans themselves

2023-09-26 21:56:59, Kosova & Bota CNA

Despite the hardships they may face, immigrants to America are more optimistic than native-born Americans, according to a new survey of 3,358 immigrant adults.

"They say they face challenges in the United States, but it's much better than where they came from. They have faith that things will be better for their children," says Shannon

Schumacher, survey analyst at KFF, a nonprofit focused on health policy, formerly known as the Kaiser Family Foundation. "Whether it's about their education, their safety, their economic opportunities, they think they're better off, and that their kids are better off."

The survey by KFF and the Los Angeles Times was conducted between April 10 and June 12, 2023. Respondents were interviewed by phone, mail and online and had the opportunity to answer questions in the 10 most widely spoken languages ??in the United States. United, including English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Portuguese, Creole, Arabic, French and Tagalog languages.

This is the most comprehensive survey of immigrants in the United States to date, Ms. Schumacher said.

"The survey can really help inform the public more about immigrants and really bring their voices into the spotlight," she says.

Immigrants make up 16% of adults in the United States. They come from different countries and have different immigration and socio-economic statuses. Their belief in a more positive future comes despite the difficulties some immigrants may face at work and in the health care system.

Most of the immigrants in the survey are employed and about half of them say they have experienced discrimination in the workplace. Three in 10 immigrants say they were paid less to do the same job, or had fewer opportunities for career advancement or pay raises, compared to their U.S.-born counterparts.

Health care is another challenge of theirs. One in five immigrants avoided or delayed health care in the past year, often due to lack of funds or health insurance. And their experiences with medical personnel are not always positive.

"About one in four immigrants say they have been treated unfairly in a healthcare setting, such as the way they were spoken to and disrespected. They don't have someone who can explain things to them in a way for them to be able to understand them. Some of them don't speak English well and they don't have the opportunity to find an interpreter," says Mrs. Schumacher.

The survey revealed that immigrants of color and Hispanics face greater discrimination./ VOA