Employment

• Many immigrants face barriers to opening bank accounts, which makes it harder to save, build credit, invest, and prepare for emergencies¹²³.

• Financial disparities reduce opportunities for home ownership and stock investment, which can affect long-term stability⁴⁵.

• Legal status increases the chance of employment by more than 25%, while undocumented immigrants often struggle to find jobs and experience greater stress⁶⁷.

• Poverty and unemployment are strongly linked to mental health challenges, including depression and anxiety¹¹.

• Attitudes toward work and unemployment vary among immigrant groups, showing that difficulties with employment are shaped by several factors such as language barriers, cultural expectations, legal status, discrimination, and differences in education or job experience⁸.

  • These factors can influence how immigrants view work, their ability to find stable jobs, and how unemployment affects their well-being and sense of identity⁸.

• Hispanic immigrants in the U.S. continue to experience higher unemployment, lower wages, and higher poverty levels compared to non-Hispanic whites¹⁰¹¹.

• Discrimination and structural barriers in the job market remain challenges, but policies, community resources, and social networks can help promote fair opportunities⁸.

• Employment challenges can be overwhelming, affecting finances and growth, but with the right support, the journey can become easier with these resources:

  • Guidance on writing resumes, job interviews, and finding work opportunities

    • https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/civic-assimilation/settling-in-the-us/employment

  • Restarting professional careers after migration

    • https://www.upwardlyglobal.org/

  • Resume/interview training, job placement, and individual support from employment specialists

    • https://bethany.org/service/employment-services

  • Job search tools and guides

    • https://jobversity.upwardlyglobal.org/resource-library/

  • Essential resources for immigrant job seekers

    • https://www.workforcegps.org/resources/2022/03/18/13/44/Resources-for-New-Immigrants-and-Refugees

  • The Department of Labor foreign labor resources and programs

    • https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/foreign-labor/programs

  • Access to jobs, training and entrepreneurship

    • https://caimmigrant.org/what-we-do/policy/economic-justice/workforce-development-bill/

  • Job training

    • https://usahello.org/education/university-adult-education/job-training/

  • General employment resources

    • https://www.informedimmigrant.com/resources/employment/

  • Immigrant and Employee rights

    • https://www.justice.gov/crt/immigrant-and-employee-rights-section

  • Guide to U.S. banking system

    • https://www.boundless.com/blog/us-banking-system-new-immigrants/

    • https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/banking/banks-credit-unions-for-immigrants-non-us-citizens

    • https://usahello.org/life-in-usa/money/bank-accounts/

  • Find your local food bank

    • https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank

  • Apply for food stamps

    • https://www.cdss.ca.gov/calfresh

¹ Aizcorbe, 2003
² Barcellos et al., 2015
³ Rhine & Greene, 2006
⁴ Osili, 2008
⁵ Barcellos et al., 2015
⁶ Devillanova et al., 2017
⁷ Griffiths et al., 2021
⁸ Auer et al., 2016
¹⁰ Alarcón et al., 2016
¹¹ Livingston et al., 2007; Canabal & Quiles, 1995