Immigrant mental health, safe work, discrimination, and state policies: From racism and xenophobia to health equity

An ecological model was developed to examine the pathways linking immigration state policies to physically safe work conditions and work volition, interpersonal discrimination, and mental health distress. The ecological framework was tested among two subsamples totaling 529 Latinx immigrant participants: (1) immigrants who resided in states with anti-immigrant policies, and (2) immigrants who lived in states with greater health equity policies for immigrants. We used path analysis to assess the model's goodness of fit and the strength and significance of the paths. The model fit well with both subsamples. For the anti-immigrant state subsample, greater health equity in state policies was associated with greater physically safe work and discrimination, but not work volition. For the pro-immigrant state policies subsample, more equitable policies were not linked to safer work conditions, work volition, or lower discrimination. Across both subsamples, safer work conditions were linked to lower discrimination, and higher discrimination was associated with mental health distress. We discuss implications for community research, interventions, employers, and policymakers in promoting migrant justice and responding to racist and xenophobic immigration policy climates.