Paradox: Well-integrated immigrants report more discrimination

A new international meta-study has confirmed the "integration paradox," which states that well-educated and socially integrated immigrants and their descendants are more likely to report experiences of discrimination. The study analyzed 42 studies from various countries to uncover the underlying mechanisms of this paradox. It found that the more educated immigrants become, the more they report discrimination, while their labor market attainment has little effect. Immigrants who participate in public life, have good language skills, consume local media, and have exposure to the majority population are also more likely to experience discrimination. The ability to recognize and speak up about discrimination increases with better education, language skills, and social contact. The study suggests that as immigrants become more integrated, they gain a better understanding of remaining inequalities and become more sensitive to them. Moreover, better-established immigrants are more likely to report discrimination in countries with more inclusive integration and anti-discrimination policies, as measured by the Migrant Integration Policy Index.