The Covid-19 pandemic has notably affected precarious groups, such as ethnic minorities and immigrants, more than others. A new report from Popular Democracy highlights how Latinox people across the United States have been especially hard hit by the pandemic, both from an economic and health perspective.

The paper highlights how immigrant and undocumented families are among those most affected by the pandemic but often excluded from any government support. For instance, two-thirds of those surveyed had experienced unemployment during the pandemic, yet excessive immigrant enforcement means many fall through the cracks.

For instance, 59% of those surveyed lacked any form of health insurance, with this figure rising to 88% of undocumented people. This is a chilling statistic given that 44% of the respondents had been ill during 2020, with many suspected of having Covid-19.

It’s a situation that the authors believe demands change so that all families are able to both access federal stimulus payments and unemployment insurance, as well as quality healthcare, especially involving testing, treatment, and vaccination for Covid-19.

Precarious status

The precarious nature of many respondents was underlined by the fact that 77% were not only renting but concerned about their ability to make next month’s rent. This figure rises to 90% among undocumented renters.

The inherent unfairness of the situation is compounded by the fact that many respondents were working on the frontlines, whether providing healthcare, working in the food supply chain, or other key sectors. Such workers reported a lack of personal protective equipment and a lack of paid sick leave.

Without a secure pathway towards citizenship for the 11 million undocumented people in the US, it’s a situation that is unlikely to improve any time soon, but it underlines the wholly unequal way in which the pandemic has been felt across the country.