Nearly two-thirds of Latinx LGBT immigrants without Green Cards live in poverty.
A new study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law finds that there are 211,000 Latinx LGBT immigrants in California, including 68,800 who do not have Green Cards. An estimated 85% of immigrants without Green Cards are undocumented.
The majority of Latinx LGBT immigrants without Green Cards live in Southern California, including 32% in Los Angeles and 34% outside of Los Angeles. Three-quarters (76%) of California's Latinx LGBT immigrants without Green Cards have lived in the U.S. for more than 10 years, and 42% have spent over half of their lives in the U.S.
Using data from the California Health Interview Survey, researchers examined the demographic, socioeconomic, and health characteristics of Latinx LGBT immigrants. Results show that Latinx LGBT immigrants without Green Cards are older, have less education, and have fewer economic resources than U.S.-born Latinx LGBT people.
Nearly two-thirds (64%) of Latinx LGBT immigrants without Green Cards live at less than 200% of the federal poverty level compared to 43% of their U.S.-born LGBT peers. Most (93%) Latinx LGBT immigrants are in the workforce, with nearly one-third (32%) working in service occupations.
"Latinx LGBT immigrants to the U.S. may experience barriers to employment associated with legal status, as well as added challenges related to LGBT stigma and racism," said lead author Rubeen Guardado, Policy Analyst at the Williams Institute. "It's critical that policies and programs address the intersectional needs of a heterogeneous Latinx LGBT immigrant population—particularly those who are most vulnerable due to lack of documentation."
KEY FINDINGS
Half of Latinx LGBT immigrants without Green Cards (cisgender and transgender) identify as bisexual (49%), 48% as gay/lesbian, and 3% identify as heterosexual and are also transgender.
Two-thirds (66%) of Latinx LGBT immigrants without Green Cards were born in Mexico, 24% are from Central America, and the remainder are from other parts of Latin America (9%) or elsewhere (1%).
About half (49%) of Latinx immigrants without Green Cards are under the age of 35 compared to three-quarters (76%) of U.S.-born Latinx LGBT people.
Latinx LGBT immigrants without Green Cards are twice as likely as their U.S.-born peers to have only a high school degree or less (73% vs. 34%, respectively).
Latinx LGBT immigrants without Green Cards are more likely to rent (as opposed to own) their homes compared to U.S.-born Latinx LGBT people (77% vs. 54%) even though are older, on average, than their U.S.-born counterparts.
More than four out of 10 (44%) Latinx LGBT immigrants without Green Cards have no health insurance, compared to 11% of their U.S.-born LGBT peers.
"More research on Latinx LGBT immigrants is needed, including studies that explore differences in quality of life and access to support among undocumented LGBT Latinx immigrants by gender identity," said co-author Kerith J. Conron, Research Director at the Williams Institute. "Research on the discrimination, harassment, and violence against Latinx LGBT immigrants experienced in their countries of origin, during migration, and within the U.S. would also be valuable, given the negative effects of such exposure on mental health.
Read the report: williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/publications/latinx-lgbt-immigrants-ca/ .
The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, a think tank on sexual orientation and gender identity law and public policy, is dedicated to conducting rigorous, independent research with real-world relevance.
