The Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Refugees 4 Years Post-Arrival in the U.S

Background and purpose: As the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the United States, many communities experienced heightened vulnerabilities to illness and financial loss. Refugee resettlement halted for a time during the pandemic, while those who had already arrived navigated a changing environment. Attention to how refugee communities experienced the pandemic is needed, with recognition of how this health crisis influences resettlement trajectories and social service provision.

Methods: As part of a longitudinal study following refugees post-resettlement, this project assessed refugee perspectives and experiences regarding COVID-19 in early 2021. Questions examined perceived threats of the pandemic, problems associated with the virus, resource access, and current needs. We also assessed economic, health, and social outcomes, which had been examined among the same sample prior to the pandemic in late 2019. These outcomes included employment, match between one’s education and employment, health insurance access, health insurance type, food security, and discrimination. Quantitative data were examined with chi-square goodness of fit tests comparing participant responses prior to and during the pandemic. Qualitative responses were analyzed for key emergent themes.

Results: The study included 42 participants who had been in the U.S. for approximately four years and originated from multiple countries, most commonly Iraq and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Most participants viewed COVID-19 as a major threat to the U.S. population, personal health, personal finances, and day-to-day life. Of problems associated with the pandemic, most respondents viewed symptomatic household members and isolation as major problems. Fewer participants had major concerns with household conflict (5%), deportation fears (19%), childcare access (19%), or paying rent (22%). Nearly half (45%) of respondents accessed resources to cope with the pandemic including information, benefits, and supplies, while 38% described not receiving assistance. When asked about needed services, participants pointed to a need for additional information, financial support, and health resources. Comparing outcomes prior to and during the pandemic, employment declined (79% - 60%, p<.1), as did the percentage of people who felt their employment matched their education level (39% - 19%, p<.1). Access to health insurance was relatively stable (93% - 86%) and access to private health insurance declined (45% - 29%), though this change was not statistically significant. Food security remained constant (88% - 91%) and experiences of discrimination increased (5% - 14%), though not significantly.

Conclusions and implications: Findings point to social and economic challenges resettled refugees experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. While access to health care and food security remained stable among this sample, reductions in employment, employment match with education, and access to private health insurance illustrate economic vulnerabilities likely caused by the pandemic. The need for additional COVID related information was also acknowledged. The upward trend in discrimination reflects heightened prejudice and violence targeting immigrant communities during this period. Social workers can respond to ongoing needs for information, health care access, assistance with employment, and attention to discrimination.