Immigrants to the United States contribute to society: Here are 3 ways to support their transition

Abstract

The number of migrants entering the United States in 2023 shattered records. Despite prevailing narratives, immigrants, on average, contribute substantially to US society. Rather than slamming the door in the faces of newcomers, federal, state, and local policymakers should provide services to these individuals to ensure they have the maximum opportunity to thrive, both for their own benefit and for the greater social good. Public health and social science research provides ample rigorous evidence on the benefits of different types of investments in these vulnerable individuals upon their arrival in our country. In this Commentary, I review 3 examples of potential evidence-based investments: social inclusion, meeting basic needs, and supportive neighborhoods.