First generation immigrant children have many disadvantages to native born citizens in the USA, such as speaking English as a second language, less stable financial situations, living in troubled neighborhoods, and a cultural shock, however scientific evidence now finds that despite this they show substantially better outcomes than native born children. This is known as “the immigrant paradox” by scholars.
This was not always the case, in fact it was once the opposite. In the 60’s, the evidence showed immigrant children did worse in various measures than native children, and improved if they assimilated. Source
Some examples:
U.S.-born Latino subjects reported higher rates for most psychiatric disorders than Latino immigrants. Source
foreign-born Latinos report lower rates of childhood anxiety than US born Latino’s and whites. Source
Immigrants who lived in the United States for less than 13 years had lower rates of mental disorders and substance abuse than did those who lived in the United States for more than 13.
First-generation respondents (Asian American adults) had lower lifetime and 12-month rates of any disorder than second- and third-generation peers (who had similar rates). Moreover, first-generation women had lower lifetime rates of substance-abuse disorders than second- and third-generation peers— and lower 12-month rates of depressive, anxiety, and any psychiatric disorders than second-generation peers. With regard to nativity status: foreign-born men had lower lifetime rates of substance-abuse disorder (in their lifetime), and foreign-born women had lower lifetime rates of any disorder (depressive, anxiety, substance-abuse, psychiatric disorder and lower 12-month rates of anxiety disorder) than U.S.-born counterparts. With regard to age at immigration: those (men and women) who arrived as children (12 years and younger) had a lifetime rate of any disorder similar to that in U.S.-born peers. Conversely, women who arrived as adults were less likely to have a depressive, anxiety, substance, or psychiatric disorder— and men who arrived as young adults (ages 18–34) were less likely to have substance-abuse, or psychiatric disorders (in their lifetime, than U.S.-born peers). Source
U.S.-born Latino teens exhibit higher rates of alcohol use compared with their foreign-born counterparts. Source
Immigrant youth are less delinquent than native-born adolescents, later generations of immigrant youth are often more delinquent. Source
First generation immigrants are less likely to have engaged in delinquent behavior than native born whites in the USA. Source
Acculturation and United States nativity are risk factors for illicit drug use among Mexican origin men and women. However, women have increased vulnerability compared with men. Source.
Length of residence in the United States appears to be associated with declining academic achievement and aspirations. Source.
Children of immigrants have better academic outcomes. Source
